The incident, first revealed by the “Efimerida ton Syntakton” newspaper and later confirmed by OSE CEO Panagiotis Terezakis, occurred at the Dukissis Plakentias station. The suburban train was given an incorrect order to switch tracks, entering a metro line instead of the correct railway route. The train driver, realising the error, attempted to contact the station master but received no response.

In a decisive move that prevented a possible catastrophe, the driver slowed down and reversed the train approximately 300 metres to exit the tunnel it had mistakenly entered. Had the driver not acted swiftly, the train could have become trapped deeper in the tunnel.

The Panhellenic Union of Traction Personnel (PEPE) has documented the incident in a report sent to the Railway Regulatory Authority (RAS) and the National Accident Investigation Agency (EODASAAM).

“The incident happened,” confirmed Terezakis in an interview with RealFM, explaining that it occurred just 500 metres before the train entered the tunnel. He attributed the error to the station master, who has since been removed from duty. However, he also mentioned that the train driver had ignored two traffic lights indicating entry onto the metro line.

Near-miss collision three weeks ago

In a separate incident roughly three weeks earlier, another potential train collision was narrowly avoided. Terezakis explained that due to ongoing underground works, trains between Athens and Treis Gefyres were operating on a single track. Normally, communication between station masters and the Coordination Centre at Acharnai ensures safe passage. However, in this case, the station master at SKA failed to follow protocol.

Terezakis elaborated: “The SKA station master didn’t realise a train was being dispatched from Athens. Fortunately, radio communication between the train drivers and station masters alerted them to the conflicting orders.” As a result, one train that had started moving from Agioi Anargyroi halted after travelling just 150 metres, while another train coming from Athens also stopped about 500 metres before reaching the single track. The distance between the two trains was roughly 1,000 metres, and their speeds were low, averting disaster.

Terezakis stressed the seriousness of both incidents, noting that safety protocols were being reviewed and appropriate disciplinary actions taken. “We are investigating the root cause,” he said. “The general regulations were followed, and there are safeguards in place, but we must ensure incidents like this do not happen again.”

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