Greek police, protesters clash after rail disaster rally in Athens

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
5 Mar 14:06
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Greek police fire tear gas and stun grenades to disperse protesters in Athens enraged by this week's train collision accident.

Protesters clash with police officers during a demonstration in front of the parliament building following the collision of two trains, near the city of Larissa, in Athens, March 3, 2023 (Reuters)

Violent clashes broke out between police and protesters outside the Greek parliament in Athens on Sunday as thousands attended a rally following the nation's worst rail disaster that killed 57, AFP reported.

According to the agency's reporters, some demonstrators set fire to rubbish bins and threw Molotov cocktails, while police responded by firing tear gas and stun grenades, clearing Syntagma Square of the protesters within a few minutes.

Police said 12,000 people had gathered by the large esplanade in front of the parliament to demand accountability for Tuesday's head-on collision near the central city of Larissa that has sparked widespread outrage.

The protesters had released hundreds of black balloons into the sky in memory of the dead, with some holding signs reading: "Down with killer governments."

Train and metro services have been paralyzed as Greek railway workers have extended a strike that began on March 2 till March 5 in response to the tragic accident.