Greek PM seeks forgiveness as anti-govt riots cont

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis issues a public apology to the families of the 57 victims of this week's train crash in a Facebook post.

by Staff Writer 06-03-2023 | 11:58 AM

On February 24, two trains collided in the northern Greek city of Drama, killing 57 people and injuring over 80 others. The accident has sparked widespread anger and protests in the country, with many accusing the government and the national railway operator of neglect and mismanagement.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited the crash site and met with local officials and rescue workers, promising a full investigation into the incident. However, his government's handling of the situation has come under intense criticism, with many questioning why the trains were allowed to travel on the same track in opposite directions.

In his Facebook post, Mitsotakis acknowledged the government's responsibility for the tragedy and asked for forgiveness from the families of the victims. He also promised to take action to prevent such accidents from happening again in the future.

Despite the Prime Minister's apology, protests against the government have continued in Athens and other cities, with many demanding the resignation of the Transport Minister and other officials responsible for railway safety. The protests have been marked by clashes with police and sporadic violence, with some demonstrators setting fire to public buildings and attacking police officers.

The Greek government has vowed to address the concerns of the protesters and take action to improve railway safety in the country. However, the incident has raised serious questions about the government's ability to ensure the safety of its citizens and its handling of crises.