A survivor of the 2023 Tempi train disaster described his efforts to escape the wreckage after regaining consciousness and struggling to breathe, during testimony at the ongoing trial in Larissa on Monday, October 19.
Aristeidis Karatzounis, who was traveling in the second carriage of the passenger train, testified about the collision and the injuries he sustained.
The February 28, 2023, collision between a passenger train and a freight train in central Greece killed 57 people. The trial began on March 23, 2026.
Survivor Describes Moments After Collision
“At first, I couldn’t breathe at all. The first struggle was to take a breath,” Karatzounis told the court, according to Greek public broadcaster ERT.
He recalled feeling what seemed like sudden braking before raising his hands to protect his face. He was then thrown from side to side and lost consciousness.
His next memory was waking up in a field, having apparently been thrown from the carriage.
Karatzounis said he managed to take several short breaths but repeatedly fell while trying to stand.
He described the scene around him as resembling a war movie.
Witness Recalls Fire and Rescue
Karatzounis testified that he saw a small fire gradually spreading and heard people crying out for help.
He also described dark smoke and the smell of burned metal and plastic.
With assistance from others, he moved through debris from the freight train and reached the old national highway.
An ambulance transported him to Larissa University Hospital, where doctors identified injuries to his head and other parts of his body.
Asked by the presiding judge about the journey before the collision, Karatzounis said he did not recall the passenger train making any stops after departing Larissa railway station.
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