The expert report by Professor Konstantopoulos on the fireball that erupted at the Tempe train crash is now in the hands of the appellate investigating judge. The report rules out the possibility that the fireball was caused by silicone oils from the freight train’s transformers. Antonis Psaropoulos, a lawyer and father of one of the victims, has described the development as significant, suggesting it could pave the way for new criminal charges against individuals at Hellenic Train and the Ministry of Transport.

The scientific findings come from Professor Thanasis Konstantopoulos of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, who was tasked with analysing the origins of the fireball that appeared shortly after the deadly collision between the two trains in Tempe.

According to his report, the fireball, which formed just 0.4 seconds after the impact, could not have been caused by the PDMS (silicone oils) used in the freight train’s transformers. While these materials are indeed flammable at temperatures above 400°C, the report notes that they do not ignite within such a brief window due to the delayed nature of their combustion reaction. This conclusion was broadcast on television and also shared online by technical expert Vasilis Kokotsakis.

On Wednesday morning, lawer Antonis Psaropoulos who lost his child in the tragedy, met with the investigating judge to be updated on the progress of the case. Speaking to larissanet.gr, he described the inclusion of the Konstantopoulos report as a noteworthy development, especially now that it has been formally added to the case file. The findings had already been included in the earlier report by the Hellenic Aviation and Railway Safety Investigation Agency (EODASAAM).

Mr Psaropoulos expressed the view that this new evidence could lead to further criminal proceedings – this time targeting Hellenic Train officials. He also remarked that, although no charges have yet been brought against senior officials at the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, he believes it’s only a matter of time.

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