Two years after the tragic Tempi railway disaster, the memory of the 57 lives lost continues to fuel global protests demanding justice and accountability. This tragedy, which occurred on February 28, 2023, devastated Greece and the Greek diaspora. In commemoration of the anniversary, Melbourne joined an international mobilization that took place in over 300 cities worldwide, including Sydney, Adelaide, and Wellington, New Zealand.
The disaster, which claimed the lives of 57 individuals, mostly young people and students, highlighted the urgent need for continued remembrance and justice.
The gathering in front of the Greek Consulate in Melbourne was charged with deep emotion, as participants expressed solidarity with the victims’ families and survivors. There was a strong emphasis on the need for ongoing action until the victims’ memories are fully honored and the safety of Greece’s railway system is assured.
The event was organized by the Demokritos Workers Union, the Greek Australians For A Free Palestine group, and the team behind the Greek Resistance Bulletin radio program on 3CR. Melbourne’s participation was part of a global chain of events that spanned Greece and many other cities worldwide. However, despite the scale of the Greek community in Melbourne—ranked third globally after Athens and Thessaloniki—the turnout was underwhelming, with fewer than 200 attendees. This was a smaller number than expected, given the city’s significant Greek population, where protests in Athens and Thessaloniki saw millions of people gathering.
During the speeches, Dimitris Tafidis, Rita Mann, and Apollonas Karakaïdos addressed the ongoing struggles of the victims’ families and railway workers in securing justice. They also spoke about the government’s failure to take responsibility, from the day of the disaster to the present. The speakers condemned the disregard for human life and the erosion of social trust as central issues in their remarks. Their speeches were often interrupted by chants from the crowd, who voiced their anger and committed to continued action until full justice was achieved.
The emotional climax of the event came when the names of the 57 victims were read aloud. The participants responded by shouting “Present!” to honor the memory of those who were tragically lost.
At the conclusion of the gathering, a Resolution was handed to a consulate employee and will be forwarded to the Greek authorities as an official protest and request for justice.
The event in Melbourne, though smaller than expected, represented an important act of solidarity and a reminder that the fight for justice continues. The tragedy of Tempi remains a painful chapter, but the call for accountability and reform in Greece’s transportation system echoes louder than ever.
(Photo credit: Panos Apostolou – SBS Greek / Bill Roumeliotis – The Greek Herald)
