His resignation from the position of Minister of Transport and Infrastructure submitted to the prime minister Mr. Costas Karamanlisas a minimum a sign of respect to people’s memory who unjustly fled to Tempi. Mr. Karamanlis notes that “I have been in politics for a few years, but I consider it a necessary element of our democracy that the citizens of our country trust the political system. This is called political responsibility.” He adds that despite efforts to improve the Greek railway, they were not enough to prevent such an accident.

The full statement of the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Mr. Costas Karamanlis:

“I have just returned from the scene of the train tragedy in Tempe. The pain is unspeakable.
It is a fact that we received the Greek railway in a state that does not suit the 21st century. In these 3.5 years, we made every effort to improve this reality. Unfortunately, these efforts were not enough to prevent such an accident. And this is very heavy for all of us and for me personally.
When something so tragic happens, it is not possible to carry on as if it didn’t happen. I have been in politics for a few years, but I consider it a necessary element of our democracy that the citizens of our country trust the political system. This is called political responsibility.
For this reason, I am resigning from the position of Minister of Infrastructure and Transport. It is what I feel my duty to do as a minimal sign of respect to the memory of the people who left so unjustly and taking responsibility for the timeless mistakes of the Greek state and political system.
From the bottom of my heart, I once again express my pain and support to the families of the victims.”

It is recalled that Mr. Karamanlis he had earlier gone to the scene of the tragedy in Tempe and in his statements he was obviously moved, even sulking: