Night Train Collision in Greece... At Least 26 Dead and 85 Injured (Comprehensive)

Passenger train carrying 350 people collides with freight train
Possibility of increasing casualties

On the night of February 28 (local time), two trains collided in central Greece, resulting in a major accident that killed at least 26 people and injured dozens more.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

According to the Associated Press and other sources, near midnight on that night, a passenger train and a freight train collided near Larisa in the Thessaly region of central Greece, causing some cars to derail and catch fire.

Local police and fire authorities reported that 26 people have died and 85 were injured so far. Earlier, authorities had announced 16 deaths and 85 injuries, but later updated the death toll.

A spokesperson for the fire department explained, "The collision between the two trains was so severe that evacuation efforts are being carried out under very difficult conditions." The spokesperson added that dozens of ambulances were deployed and an emergency alert was issued to nearby hospitals capable of treating burn victims.

Search and rescue operations are ongoing by the fire department, so the number of casualties may increase.

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

The passenger train had departed from Athens heading towards the northern city of Thessaloniki, carrying approximately 350 passengers and about 20 staff members. The freight train was traveling from Thessaloniki to Larisa. Kostas Agorastos, governor of Thessaly, said in an interview with state television, "It was a very powerful collision. It is a terrible night," adding, "It is difficult to describe the situation at the scene." He explained, "The front part of the train was smashed," and "Cranes and special heavy equipment are being brought in to lift debris and vehicles."

The accident site was filled with thick smoke from the fire, and rescue workers wearing headlamps rescued people trapped inside the train. A young man who evacuated under a nearby bridge told local media, "There was terror inside the train. People were screaming," describing the scene.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the accident. Passengers who sustained minor injuries or were uninjured were transported by bus to their destination, Thessaloniki, about 130 km to the north. Police compiled a list of passengers who traveled by bus to identify the injured and missing.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.