“The train drivers did their duty, observing the General Traffic Regulation. This is also the only way to avoid incidents and deal with similar unforeseen situations” states Hellenic Train in a statement on the occasion of the event that took place this morning at SS Ag. Anargyron between trains 1210, bound for Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos” and train 1307 coming from Kiato.

And he concludes: “We are in open communication with all relevant agencies to fully clarify all aspects of the incident”.

Prosecutorial intervention for the almost head-on collision of suburban trains

It is noted that the intervention of the Athens Prosecutor’s Office was caused by the almost head-on collision of the trains outside Athens.

The head of the public prosecutor’s office has ordered a preliminary investigation, during which it will be investigated whether the offense of dangerous interference with fixed-track means of transport has been committed.

During the preliminary investigation, which will be conducted by GADA under the supervision of the Prosecutor’s Office, the audio documents will be requested and statements will be taken.

The SKA station master was taken off duty

According to information, the incident unfolded this morning with two trains of the suburban railway, which received conflicting orders from the stationmasters of Athens and Agios Anargyros, which orders, if not revoked, would have led to a collision between the two trains.

According to the information from the OSE, the station master of Athens gave an order to the suburban train to move towards the airport and correspondingly the station master of Aghii Anargyro gave an order to the suburban train to move towards Athens. This would lead to a conflict. However, the driver of one train and one of the two stationmasters of the Athens stationmaster, communicated with each other via VHF radio and revoked the command, causing the train that had started from Agioi Anargyros to stop 100 meters away from the station. Of course, the specific incident is assessed as serious. An investigation will be carried out with the first indications that they speak of a wrong order from the station master in Agioi Anargyros. It is worth noting that the remote control and signaling do not work at this point, and this is because there are ongoing projects to underground the railway network.

The head-on collision of the two trains of the suburban railway was avoided thanks to the timely intervention of the station master of Athens and the train drivers, who corrected the mistake of the station master of the Acharnon Railway Center, who was immediately taken off duty by order of the OSE administration. In addition, the OSE management ordered a finding to verify the conditions, collected the audio recording data – and requested an apology from the SKA station master who was involved in the incident as well as a report from the Athens station master who was aware of the incident while also informing the Regulatory Railway Authority (RAS) and the National Organization for the Investigation of Aviation and Railway Accidents and Transport Safety (EODASAAM) for the incident.

With reference to an incident that occurred today, September 13, 2024, on the single line section between Athens and Agioi Anargyro stations, the OSE emphasizes the following:

At around 09:13, train 1210, bound for the Airport, received a departure signal from Athens station. While train 1210 was starting to move towards SS Agios Anargyros, it received an order from SKA to start heading towards SS Athens for train 1307 coming from Kiato.

The stationmaster of Athens and the train driver of 1210, hearing the departure order given by SKA to train 1307, the former contacted SKA via GSM-R, where an order was immediately given to cancel the movement order of train 1307 to SS Athens, while at the same time, the driver of 1210 communicated via VHF with the driver of 1307 and informed him that he was already moving towards SS Agios Anargyros.

Almost at the same time, the train driver of train 1307 realized the situation and stopped the train, immediately, as soon as it had exited SS Agios Anargyro and at a distance of 500m. before entering the single line.

“It is emphasized once again that the faithful observance of the provisions of the General Traffic Regulation by all those involved in train traffic, which includes multiple safety valves, is the determining factor for the smooth running of rail traffic” states the management of the OSE, pointing out that it has taken initiatives to further strengthen the training of the staff, in order to prevent individual mistakes.

“The goal remains the continuous improvement of services, with absolute priority the safety and trust of passengers” the management of the Organization declares.

PEPE for an incident with suburban trains: The collision was avoided thanks to the professionalism and dedication of the train drivers

“The collision was averted as the driver of 1210 realized the error in the orders given to the two trains… it was avoided thanks to the professionalism and dedication of the drivers who realized what was about to happen,” the Panhellenic Union of Traction Personnel (PEPE) states in its announcement.

At the same time, he emphasizes that the remote control, ETCS and traffic lights are not working at the place where the incident happened.

PEPE’s announcement in detail

“This morning, 13/9, trains 1210 and 1307 almost collided head-on, between Athens and Agios Anargyri as they were moving in a single line, in the opposite direction, following orders they received from the stations on either side.

The collision was averted as the driver of 1210 realized the mistake in the orders given to the 2 trains when the driver of 1307 proceeded to announce his passage from Agioi Anargyroi station.

Today we could have a real, and not superficial, serious incident, which was avoided thanks to the professionalism and dedication of the train drivers who realized what was about to happen.

At this point we should inform you that the train driver of 1210, who realized the mistake and prevented the collision, is the president of our Union, who a few months ago was personally attacked by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, with a relevant announcement that specifically stated , on the occasion of a violation of a red signal: “the same person who, as a train driver, violates a signal endangering the safety of citizens, in his trade union capacity signs notices for the safety of passengers”.

We await the announcement of OSE, Hellenic train and especially the statement of the competent minister, recalling that at the point where the incident took place, remote control, ETCS and traffic lights are not working”.