Greek deputy minister under fire for provocative remarks on train safety: “Employees lie about safety while they make a living from the railway”

In an interview with Kontra24, Economou went so far as to deny the recent incident in Agioi Anargyroi, where the Panhellenic Union of Traction Personnel (PEPE) reported a near head-on collision between trains from Athens and Agioi Anargyroi. The incident was allegedly averted only because the driver of train 1210 realised an error in the orders given, at a point where remote controls, ETCS (European Train Control System), and traffic lights were not functioning.

“A tragic incident cannot be an alibi for not doing anything or an excuse for some to cancel a means of transport. They are cancelling the railway while making a living from it,” Economou said, criticising workers. He also dismissed train drivers’ demands for improved remote control systems at key locations, likening their calls for safety improvements to an impossible demand: “The train drivers who say put remote control where the works are done is like me telling you to fly a helicopter now. They are saying something they know is not possible.”

His statements have been widely condemned, especially his rhetorical question about the Tempe disaster: “Why do you keep talking about Tempe? If a plane goes down, will you talk about planes?”

Despite his remarks, Economou insisted, “I can’t accept the narrative that our lives are left to fate,” but repeatedly challenged the credibility of the train drivers, stating, “Either the train drivers are lying, or I am.”

These comments come amidst escalating tensions over railway safety in Greece. Train drivers and Hellenic Train employees went on strike on Tuesday, 24th September, from 18:00 to midnight, while the SEP TRAINOSE and PEP TRAINOSE unions have announced a 24-hour nationwide strike on Thursday, 26th September. The unions are demanding immediate recruitment, the replacement of outdated rolling stock with modern tracks comparable to European railways, and the completion of infrastructure projects to improve safety across the railway network.

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