Officials are investigating a blast near railway offices, coinciding with public anger over past railway disasters.
**Explosion Rocks Central Athens Following Anonymous Warning**
**Explosion Rocks Central Athens Following Anonymous Warning**
An explosive device detonated in Athens, with no reported injuries or fatalities, sparking condemnation from officials.
An explosion occurred in central Athens on Friday, targeting the offices of the Hellenic Train railway company. The incident unfolded close to major thoroughfare Leoforos Andrea Siggrou and was captured on CCTV, showing a blast emanating from a backpack reportedly left unattended.
Authorities reported that prior to the explosion, anonymous calls were made to various Greek media outlets warning of the impending attack. Fortunately, there were no fatalities or injuries related to the incident.
Transport Minister Christos Staikouras labeled the act as "criminal," highlighting that it endangered not only employees but also citizens in the bustling area during peak traffic hours. He condemned violence stating, "Nothing justifies terrorism; no act of violence brings justice."
Investigations revealed that the explosive device had been securely locked inside a backpack, positioned on an unregistered scooter. Unfortunately, the police bomb disposal unit arrived too late to safely deactivate the device before it detonated.
Hellenic Train released a statement confirming that no employees or bystanders were harmed, noting that the explosion caused limited property damage. The company condemned violence and expressed concerns over the toxic climate affecting progress within society.
As investigations continue, the motives behind this explosion remain unclear, although it coincides with growing public discontent following a tragic railway collision in 2023 that resulted in numerous casualties. The public protests following this incident have been fueled by frustrations over safety lapses, culminating in violent clashes with the police.
An official inquiry attributed the previous train disaster to human error, inadequate staffing, and maintenance failures. As anger over railway safety persists, the timeline for any forthcoming trial related to that incident remains uncertain.
Authorities reported that prior to the explosion, anonymous calls were made to various Greek media outlets warning of the impending attack. Fortunately, there were no fatalities or injuries related to the incident.
Transport Minister Christos Staikouras labeled the act as "criminal," highlighting that it endangered not only employees but also citizens in the bustling area during peak traffic hours. He condemned violence stating, "Nothing justifies terrorism; no act of violence brings justice."
Investigations revealed that the explosive device had been securely locked inside a backpack, positioned on an unregistered scooter. Unfortunately, the police bomb disposal unit arrived too late to safely deactivate the device before it detonated.
Hellenic Train released a statement confirming that no employees or bystanders were harmed, noting that the explosion caused limited property damage. The company condemned violence and expressed concerns over the toxic climate affecting progress within society.
As investigations continue, the motives behind this explosion remain unclear, although it coincides with growing public discontent following a tragic railway collision in 2023 that resulted in numerous casualties. The public protests following this incident have been fueled by frustrations over safety lapses, culminating in violent clashes with the police.
An official inquiry attributed the previous train disaster to human error, inadequate staffing, and maintenance failures. As anger over railway safety persists, the timeline for any forthcoming trial related to that incident remains uncertain.
