At this time, the station master of Larissa, on whose shift the fatal train accident occurred, is apologizing.

The 59-year-old, who is facing serious charges, is said to be in a very bad psychological state and reportedly told those who saw him “I’m carrying 35 coffins on my back…”.

The station master was to apologize yesterdaybut his lawyer got a deadline after, as he argued, “there were new elements”.

As the days pass, they increase the information that comes to the public about what happened that day.

Two mistakes in the same day

According to new information, just one hour before the tragic accident with Intercity 62 and the commercial train, the 59-year-old station master had sent the Larissa suburban train in the wrong direction.

In particular, when the suburban train full of passengers arrived at the Psalidi-Paliofarsalo point, the station master changed the key, causing the train to go on the wrong line.

However, the train driver of the suburban train understood the mistake of the station master and as a result asked him to reverse the train and continue its course on the line it was on.

However, the driver of Intercity 62 did not notice the same mistake.

Black box detected

At the same time, investigations at the site of the collision are continuing, with the authorities having located the “black box”, but it is not known whether it is the passenger train or the commercial one.

The “black box” is expected to provide more information on the causes that led to the fatal collision such as information on the speed of the train, on whether the brakes were used and when, if the emergency brake was used and also on the mechanical condition of the wagons and the machine.

Hellenic Train’s first announcement

The first detailed announcement about the tragic accident in Tempi that claimed the lives of 57 people was issued by Hellenic Train today, Saturday, stating that it has been working closely with the rescuers and operators since the first moments after the accident, as well as that it is offering in every way the its support to the relatives of the victims.

He gives clarifications on the number of passengers stating that only the names of the passengers who had purchased an online ticket are included in the list handed over by Hellenic Train to the authorities and that there were no gas bottles on the train.

The company’s full announcement reads as follows:

“These days are particularly difficult for the whole country and for our company, which lost 9 workers in the accident. Hellenic Train expresses its condolences to the relatives of the victims to whom it offers its support in every way.

Hellenic Train, a passenger and freight transport company, has been working closely with rescuers and operators since the first moments after the accident caused by the collision of the two trains in Tempi, at the height of the Annunciation.

The staff of Hellenic Train was at the scene of the accident from the first moment and provided support, in cooperation with the authorities, the Civil Protection Service and the rescue teams, while through the Civil Protection Service they supported the mobilization of the psychologists who would be in the hospitals.

In addition, Hellenic Train provided buses to facilitate the transport of passengers who managed to disembark to their final destination, Thessaloniki. Immediately after the incident, a special call center of the company was put into full operation, in order to provide information and refer to the competent authorities for information about the accident.

Hellenic Train clarifies that the list of passenger names given to the authorities only includes passengers who had purchased an online ticket.

In the case of passengers who bought tickets at ticket offices, their ticket, although corresponding to a specific seat, was not nominal. The company informs that the number of tickets sold never exceeds the number of seats offered.

On long-distance trains, all tickets correspond to specific seats and therefore, regardless of the purchase method, be it online, through the ticket office or on the train, the number of tickets sold can never exceed the number of available seats.

Hellenic Train confirms that there are no LPG cylinders on the train. The service equipment in the restaurant car is electric.

The company continues its work, helping and supporting the victims, in close cooperation with the Ministry of Transport and all relevant authorities”.