Two years after the deadly train crash in Tempi, families of the victims are still searching for answers. Ilías Papangelís, father of 19-year-old university student Anastasia Papangelí, who lost her life in the disaster, expressed his frustration and grief in a recent television interview.
“We don’t know why the audio recordings were edited. We don’t know why the DNA evidence of our children was discarded,” Papangelís stated during an appearance on OPEN TV.
He went on to highlight the lack of accountability in the aftermath of the tragedy: “Two years after such a crime, no one has been held responsible. Two years of evasion and cover-ups. We don’t know why the surveillance footage disappeared. We don’t know why the recordings were tampered with. We don’t know why the DNA evidence was thrown away. And now, we don’t even know what will happen with the parliamentary investigation. If they’re only going to focus on misdemeanor charges and nothing else, then what are we really doing? This endless game of hide-and-seek continues. Is there any other country in the world where, after such a crime, no one has been punished even two years later?”
Political Response: “Superficial Changes Are Not Enough”
When asked about the recent government reshuffle by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Papangelís was skeptical of its impact.
“The Greek people—both in Greece and abroad—did not ask for a cabinet reshuffle in the massive protests on January 26 and February 28,” he said. “They demanded sweeping reforms and deep, structural change. They want the country to turn a new page. Simply replacing a few people with others doesn’t mean anything. I don’t think this will change a thing. We need far more significant reforms.”
Railway Safety Concerns Persist
Papangelís also raised concerns about the continued lack of safety measures on Greece’s railways.
“Even today, two years later, the railway safety systems are still not operational,” he stressed. “The Prime Minister told us that by 2027, everything will be fully functional. But what about those traveling between now and then? Who guarantees their safety?”
He criticized the government’s handling of the issue, pointing out contradictions in official statements. “On the one hand, they claim that 80% of the remote control and security systems are in place, yet at the same time, the Prime Minister himself admits that full functionality won’t be achieved for another two years. That means the safety systems are still not working, and every train journey remains a high-risk venture.”
With families still waiting for justice and concerns over railway safety unresolved, the Tempi disaster continues to cast a long shadow over Greece.
