Student gathering for the Tempi tragedy – “Panepistimio” metro station closed

To mark the third anniversary of the railway accident at Tempi, students and pupils in Athens and across all cities of Greece are planning a protest today, Thursday, February 26.

The demonstration in Athens is set for 12:00 PM in front of the University of Athens at Panepistimiou Street (formally renamed as Eleftherios Venizelos Avenue), with participation from student and pupil unions, who are calling for mass attendance with the central demand for justice and ensuring safe public transportation.

The call emphasizes that three years after the tragedy, open issues remain regarding responsibility and the essential upgrade of safety infrastructure on the railways. The organizers stress the need to avoid any cover-up and to take measures to prevent similar incidents from happening again. Similar actions are expected to take place in other cities of the country, as part of the nationwide coordination of student and pupil organizations.

The Student Coordinating Committee of Athens in its related announcement emphasizes: “Now we strengthen our struggle for our lives and our future, this is the greatest honor for the victims of Tempi. We call on the 15-member councils of schools to meet, organize school assemblies, classroom briefings, in every way, all students discuss and move forward with school closures and two-day sit-ins on February 26 and 27. February 26, 12:00 student rally at the Propylaea, February 28, we participate in the workers’ rallies!”

The “Panepistimio” metro station will close at 10:00

The announcement issued on Thursday morning states: “By order of the Hellenic Police, today, Thursday, February 26, the ‘Panepistimio’ metro station will close at 10 AM and the trains will pass through it without stopping.”

The metro will remain closed due to the rally marking the 3rd anniversary of the Tempi tragedy, which is being organized today at 12:00 PM at the Propylaea by more than 20 student unions in Athens.