Ind’p rail watchdog calls OSE, Hellenic Train leaderships to hearing over Tempi disaster

Greece’s Regulatory Authority for Railways (RAS), a hitherto mostly unknown independent watchdog until the Feb. 28 Tempi rail disaster, on Wednesday said it was summoning the leadership of the state-run Railways Organization of Greece (OSE) and FS Italiane-owned Hellenic Train over alleged violations that caused the collision of two trains.

The disaster cost the life of 58 passengers and train crews, the worst rail accident in Greece’s history.

RAS conducted an investigation separate from one begun and concluded by a committee established by the transport ministry.

According to reports, the investigation revealed irregularities related to the training of the junior station master on duty at the time of the collision as well as his appointment to the post, citing, for instance, an exception for an age prerequisite.

By all accounts, the specific OSE employee mistakenly shifted a northbound passenger train (operated by Hellenic Train) into the path of a southbound freight train on the evening of Feb. 28. Fail-safe systems were either absent, not in operation, or, for the specific stretch of the railway network, ignored.

The RAS report also cited safety protocols violations by the train’s conductor.

Upon the hearing’s completion, the independent watchdog said it will issue a final conclusion regarding the accident, as well as issuing binding recommendations to improve safety in Greece’s antiquated and paltry, by European standards, rail system.