An expert report into the 2023 Tempi train disaster just a day before its second anniversary, confirmed concerns that an “unknown” substance may have contributed to a massive explosion and the loss of life when two trains smashed into each other in central Greece, killing 57 passengers and crew.
The report by Greece’s National Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Organization (EODASAAM) also confirmed concerns that interventions made at the scene of the accident compromised the discovery of “vital information” and hampered investigations into the crash, which involved a freight train traveling south from Thessaloniki to Athens plowing head-on into a passenger train coming in the opposite direction.
The Railway Branch of EODASAAM is the independent National Investigating Body for Greece. It is responsible for investigating accidents and incidents on the national rail network.
“Based on the observations that could be made, there is no indication that the technical equipment of the rolling stock that was used, gave rise to the formation and expansion of the enormous fireball that arose after the impact, and subsequently resulted in the secondary fires. With the existing evidence [it] is impossible to determine what exactly caused it, but simulations and expert reports indicate the possible presence of a hitherto unknown fuel,” the report says.
The 160-page report suggests that hardcore which was laid down over the debris may have extinguished traces of liquids and materials that contributed to the blast, which is believed to have cost the lives of between five and seven of the 57 victims, with the rest being killed by the impact of the two trains.
Tempi report: Greek railways suffer from degrading infrastructure
The report chronicles the mistakes made on the evening of February 28, 2023, when both trains were traveling in opposite directions on the same track. The station master at Larissa was inexperienced and had to deal with an unprecedented number of communications, many of which were not directly related to his task of controlling the train traffic.
In addition, the design of the working environment, due to the positioning of the various resources to be used, did not allow for conversations to be held while at the same time
keeping an eye on the train traffic.
Overall, however, Greek railways suffer from degrading infrastructure, the report notes. “The Greek railway sector suffered highly from the economic crises that started in late 2009 and reached a peak in 2010. This resulted in poorly maintained and increasingly degrading infrastructure and a structural shortage of staff to continue to provide the usual service.
“The infrastructure manager, OSE, does not provide any preventive maintenance of its main assets for control, command and signaling. Interventions only take place when (critical) assets fail, even for renewal projects that are partly put in service.”
Experts on factors affecting the severity of consequences at Tempi
- Most of the victims of this accident are due to the impacts that took place after the collision of both trains.
- Based on the observations that could be made, there is no indication that the technical equipment of the rolling stock that was used gave rise to the formation and expansion of the enormous fireball that arose after the impact, and subsequently resulted in the secondary fires.
- With the existing evidence is impossible to determine what exactly caused it, but simulations and expert reports indicate the possible presence of a hitherto unknown fuel.
- There was no actual coordination, whether at operational or strategic level, of the different services at the scene of the collision. Each service continued to operate under its own orders, initiatives, and personnel without any interaction at the organizational level. One particular result of this is the fact that no proper mapping of the accident investigation site was performed.
- The initial collection of evidence for a further safety investigation shows several flaws, resulting in the loss of potentially vital information for understanding the causal and underlying factors of the accident and ultimately improving the safety of the railway system.
EODASAAM has made 17 more recommendations as a result of this investigation in the Tempi accident. Several of these recommendations go beyond the remit and powers of individual organizations and can therefore not be implemented without the support of the Greek Government.
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