An explosion has rattled central Athens, dangerously close to the offices of the Greek railway company Hellenic Train. This incident, which erupted late Friday, has been captured on CCTV, showing a blast coming from a backpack that had been reportedly left outside the office building. Fortunately, there have been no fatalities or injuries reported.
According to police sources, prior to the explosion, anonymous calls were made warning Greek media outlets about the impending attack, which took place near Leoforos Andrea Siggrou, one of the capital's most bustling highways. Greece's Transport Minister, Christos Staikouras, condemned this act of violence as "criminal" and one that recklessly endangered lives.
Local media, including the Efsyn newspaper and website Zougla, confirmed that the explosive device was placed in a padlocked backpack on a scooter that bore no license plates. Sadly, the police bomb disposal squad arrived on-site too late to safely neutralize the device before it detonated.
Staikouras issued a strong statement condemning the act: "This is a criminal act which endangered the lives of people, employees, and passers-by, in a central point of Athens and during peak traffic hours." He emphasized that terrorism and violence could never justify any cause. His remarks followed a similar sentiment from Hellenic Train, which spoke out against violence and its detrimental effects on societal progress, assuring that no employees or civilians had been harmed and that the damage caused by the explosion was minimal.
While the investigation into the blast continues, it arrives against the backdrop of public discontent following a catastrophic railway accident over two years ago. In February 2023, a tragic collision between a freight train and a passenger train led to the loss of 57 lives, predominantly young students. This disaster has sparked ongoing protests throughout Greece, escalating tensions as demonstrators have urged for accountability and changes within the railway systems.
Multiple protests have turned violent, with reports of demonstrators clashing with police while marking the anniversary of the train crash. An inquiry regarding the incident attributed the blame to human errors, lack of proper maintenance, and inadequate staffing. As residents remain on edge, the search for justice continues amidst calls for a trial date following the tragedy.
