Blast Rocks Central Athens Amid Ongoing Tensions Over Railway Safety

A recent explosion near the offices of Hellenic Train in Athens raised alarm but resulted in no casualties. The blast was preceded by anonymous warnings, adding to tensions related to previous railway tragedies in Greece.

An explosion occurred in central Athens near the offices of the Greek railway company, Hellenic Train, but fortunately, no fatalities or injuries have been reported. The incident took place late on Friday when CCTV footage revealed a blast emanating from a backpack that had been left outside the office building.

According to police, prior to the explosion, anonymous calls were made to various Greek media outlets, indicating a potential attack. The location was notably close to Leoforos Andrea Siggrou, which is one of the city's busiest highways. Greece's Transport Minister, Christos Staikouras, condemned the incident as a "criminal act" that endangered innocent lives.

Local media outlets such as Efsyn and Zougla, which received the anonymous warnings, reported that the explosive device was likely concealed in a padlocked backpack placed on an unregistered scooter. Police bomb disposal experts arrived too late to neutralize the device before it detonated.

In his statement, Minister Staikouras denounced the attack, emphasizing that violence cannot be justified and calling for a thorough investigation. Hellenic Train confirmed that there were no injuries among its staff or nearby civilians, but acknowledged that the explosion caused some material damage. "We unequivocally condemn any form of violence that disrupts societal progress," emphasized the company.

Details surrounding the explosion remain unclear; however, it coincides with heightened public unrest following a catastrophic railway disaster over two years ago. In February 2023, a tragic collision occurred when a freight train and a passenger train traveling on the same track resulted in the deaths of 57 individuals, primarily young students.

The aftermath of that incident elicited nationwide protests in Greece, and notable civil unrest engulfed some demonstrations, prompting violent clashes with police. An official inquiry attributed the catastrophic train crash to human negligence, including inadequate maintenance and staffing issues. While a trial date has yet to be set, the outcome will likely have significant ramifications amidst ongoing demands for accountability and justice.