An explosion occurred in central Athens near the offices of the Greek railway company Hellenic Train, but thankfully, no injuries or fatalities were reported. The blast happened late on Friday, reportedly caused by an explosive device hidden in a backpack left outside the office building.
Authorities received anonymous warnings about the attack prior to the explosion. Police stated that the device was placed in a padlocked backpack on a scooter without license plates. Unfortunately, the bomb disposal squad arrived too late to safely detonate the device before it exploded.
Greece’s Transport Minister, Christos Staikouras, condemned the incident as a "criminal act" that endangered lives. He emphasized the seriousness of the situation, noting that it occurred in a busy area during peak traffic hours. Staikouras stated, "Nothing justifies terrorism; no act of violence brings justice."
Hellenic Train confirmed that no employees or civilians were harmed and that the explosion caused only limited damage. The company condemned all forms of violence, stressing the need for a peaceful environment.
While the motive behind the explosion is still unclear, it comes amid ongoing public anger over a devastating train crash that occurred more than two years ago. In February 2023, a collision between a freight train and a passenger train resulted in the deaths of 57 people, many of whom were young students. This tragedy sparked widespread protests across Greece, some of which turned violent.
An inquiry into the crash attributed the incident to human error, poor maintenance, and inadequate staffing. A trial date regarding the crash has yet to be announced. The recent explosion highlights the ongoing tensions in Greece, as the public continues to seek accountability for past tragedies.