On February 28, 2023, Greece witnessed its deadliest train collision in history. A passenger train and a freight train collided head-on near the town of Tempi, causing a violent inferno that claimed 57 lives and left 80 injured. For many, this was not just an accident but a symbol of more profound, systemic failures. The tragedy still haunts Greece two years later, and the outrage surrounding it has only grown.

Recent revelations have reignited public anger, leading to massive protests across the country on the disaster’s second anniversary. In over 300 locations, hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets, chanting in frustration and mourning. The most poignant symbol of this movement is the final words of 23-year-old passenger Frantzeska Beza: “I have no oxygen.” These words, spoken in her last moments, have become a metaphor for the suffocating weight of unanswered questions, government negligence, and lack of accountability.

Corruption and Negligence: A Crisis of Public Trust

From “tragic human error” to “we are all to blame” the government’s handling of the Tempi train disaster has moved through shifting narratives, contested investigations, and political calculations. Early framing placed singular responsibility on the Larissa stationmaster, after which Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis publicly apologized and broadened the blame to systemic issues, while distancing himself from direct knowledge of The Hellenic Railway’s Organisation’ safety problems. After two years, the official government narrative remains that the tragedy was the result of human error and outdated public infrastructure. 

However, recent findings by the Hellenic Air & Rail Safety Investigation Authority, supported by analysis from Belgian experts at Ghent University, suggest that the freight train carried undeclared flammable substances, intensifying the fire. The handling of the investigation has only fuelled suspicions. According to Human Rights Watch, the rapid removal of debris as well as the victims’ remains from the scene intensified public outrage and sparked credible allegations of government interference and destruction of evidence. In addition, the resignation of the deputy minister for civil protection amid claims of tampering has heightened concerns about the investigation’s integrity. 

While parliamentary and expert inquiries were formed they were criticised by the opposition and the victim’s families for their limited scope, selective witness lists, and immunity provisions, fueling opposition claims of obstruction and evidence tampering, from the controversial removal of wreckage to questions over edited recordings. According to Human Rights Watch and investigative reporting, the rapid removal of wreckage disrupted forensic analysis, while opposition parties alleged that official audio recordings were selectively edited to reinforce the ‘human error’ narrative. Now, the opposition accuses the government of obstructing justice while the government contends that only the courts can assign blame, presenting railway modernization as the true memorial to the victims. For the average person, this is more than a case of mismanagement, for many citizens, this represents a violation of public trust and the fundamental duty of governance to protect its people.

Public service is not a privilege but a responsibility. Those entrusted with overseeing infrastructure and public safety must act with integrity, ensuring that no life is put at risk due to negligence or political favouritism. The protests demand responsible leadership, one that places human lives above political interests and seeks justice for those affected.

Why This Matters Beyond Greece

These protests have not been limited to Greece. In cities such as Rotterdam, Utrecht, and Amsterdam, Greek communities and their allies have gathered to show solidarity. But their presence on Dutch streets also speaks to a more significant issue: the need for transparency, justice, and public safety, not just in Greece but everywhere.

The Tempi disaster is a stark warning for all societies about the consequences of neglecting infrastructure, prioritising political favours over expertise, and failing to hold those in power accountable. Even in the Netherlands, known for its strong governance, systemic failures have come to light in recent years.

The Dutch child benefits scandal is one such case. Thousands of families, many of migrant backgrounds, were wrongfully accused of fraud, leading to financial ruin, immense psychological distress, and shattered trust in public institutions. The scandal exposed bureaucratic incompetence and institutional discrimination, proving that no country is immune to government negligence and lack of accountability.

Lessons from Serbia and Beyond

Greece is not alone in its struggle for justice. In Serbia, mass protests erupted in response to government corruption and the mishandling of fatal accidents. The recent tragedy in Novi Sad, where failures in public infrastructure led to unnecessary deaths, mirrors Greece’s frustration. Citizens in Serbia, like those in Greece, refuse to accept corruption and negligence as an inevitable part of governance.

The pattern is clear: whether in Greece, Serbia, or the Netherlands, the fight for accountability transcends borders. These disasters and scandals expose a universal truth, when corruption and mismanagement go unchecked, lives are at risk. Governments must be stewards of the public good, ensuring that infrastructure is safe, institutions are transparent, and justice is delivered fairly and swiftly.

The Fight for Justice Is Global

The Tempi train disaster, the Serbian protests, and the Dutch child benefits scandal serve as reminders that injustice, corruption, and mismanagement are not confined to any one country. The protests in Greece and beyond are a call to action, urging societies to remain vigilant and demand accountability before another preventable tragedy occurs.

Justice is not merely about punishing wrongdoing after a tragedy but ensuring that governance serves its fundamental purpose: protecting and safeguarding human dignity. In a world where scandals too often fade from public memory, Greece’s message is clear: we cannot afford to look away.