Obviously moved, the Minister of Transport, Kostas Karamanlis, “bent” when he made reference to the victims of the accident, stressing that the causes will be investigated and nothing will be left under the carpet:

“Today is a really sad day. And today, those of us who have been here express pain and sadness because the scenes we see are truly shocking.

Everyone’s thoughts are with the victims and their families at this time. You know and understand that this is a very difficult search and rescue operation. We still do not know the exact number of victims.

But I want and am obliged to say one thing: That we will investigate with absolute seriousness, with absolute transparency, the causes of this tragic event.

What we say now will be premature and in essence I would tell you that we are desecrating the people who have perished. So I would like everyone to stay calm and stick to what I told you, that we will do everything to investigate the causes and not leave anything under the carpet.”