The official “network statement”, which shows the situation at the time of the incident, was referred by the former Minister of Transport & Communications Tasos Mantelis, who was summoned by the commission of inquiry “to investigate the crime of Tempe” to shed light on the case in terms of the period of time 1997-2004.

As he said, the network statement clearly states that there is a central operator in Larissa and he is required to manage the traffic. Therefore, whether there is the developed information with the (modern) ERTMS system or the conventional information with electrical signaling, someone will manage the information that will exist, said Mr. Mantelis, asked to say – at his discretion – who are the reasons that led to the train accident.

Specifically he said that, reading the network statement, we see that there is “capacity” which is occupied by the passenger train. The question is, while the passenger train has first priority and the commercial train has fourth priority, how does it (the commercial) get into the line occupied by the Intercity train? Whoever handles the traffic gives orders to the drivers who enters and who leaves the line, noted Mr. Mantelis.

When asked why there were no serious accidents in the previous period, when there were no advanced systems, he said: Because of competent personnel. Those who were in the positions did their job well. As for the selection of the station masters, he said that the rules of the internal operation regulation were observed.

The examining committee “cfor the investigation of the Tempe crime» will meet again tomorrow Wednesday in order to examine the former managing director of ERGOSE (2005-2008).

The committee also decided to ask the Plenary of the Parliament to extend its work until January 22, 2023, when it is expected to request an additional extension due to the number of witnesses proposed by the parties.