Suffering awaited the passengers of the Thessaloniki Metro, when at noon on Monday, a train stopped on Track 1.

According to information from voria.gr, the passengers were served after about 15 minutes by another train through Track 2, while in the meantime, as can be seen in the main photo, the stations were inseparably closed.

It is noted that this is not the first time that a train has stopped.

In an announcement published on the thessmetro.gr website, it is stated that “if even a small deviation is detected, such as an obstacle in the tracks, the system automatically stops the train to assess the situation. In this way, potential problems are prevented in time».

“Especially during the start of operation of a fully automatic Metro system, such as the Thessaloniki Metro, it is expected that individual incidents of train stoppages will occur more often, causing delays of a few minutes and are included during the adaptation of the system to the real and intensive operating conditions. These delays are completely normal and do not in any way affect the safety of passengers” adds THEMA company, assuring that “the stopping of a train is carried out as a precaution in order to ensure the correct operation of all systems and does not necessarily indicate a technical failure of the train. The system ensures that the train can only continue its journey when conditions are confirmed to be completely safe».

The company notes that multiple backup security systems work in parallel. “If a primary system detects a problem, backup safety systems are activated. Train remains stationary until all systems confirm conditions for safe continuation of operation» he clarifies.

And he continues: “In rare cases where it takes time to detect the potential problem and fix it, it may be necessary to evacuate the train. The evacuation is carried out to:

Avoid prolonged passenger stays inside the stationary train. Ensure that technicians can repair the problem safely without passengers on the train. This is a standard procedure followed by all automatic metro systems worldwide».

During a train evacuation, THEMA reports, special protocols are followed. “Strictly designed, tested and certified procedures are followed for train evacuations, ensuring that all necessary actions are carried out in an organized, efficient and safe manner. The trained train attendant guides passengers safely through the pedestrian walkway in the tunnel to the nearest station, providing assistance to the elderly and people with mobility or vision and hearing impairments. In case there is a passenger in a wheelchair, the train attendant remains with him on the train and attends to his needs until the train is safely moved and approaches the station where disembarking takes place. Evacuation of the train is completed either through the emergency exits leading to street level or through the platform».

“All steps are designed to minimize inconvenience and provide maximum safety for everyone» emphasizes the company.