After the tragic incident in Tempi, the bodies are taken one by one to the Larisa General Hospital, where the “mass disaster protocol” is activated and DNA identification is carried out, since in most cases it is impossible to identify the victims by their families.

Three medical examiners from Athens and Thessaloniki, who were in Larissa to assist the staff of the city’s general hospital, told K about the daunting task of dissecting a corpse. According to the information, the investigative group conducted 43 autopsies.

“From the very beginning it was clear that the recognition process was very difficult, as several bodies were charred. Therefore, we moved on to the stage of DNA identification. When the laboratory test is completed, the police authorities will announce the results,” said forensic scientist Eleni Zagelidou.

The bodies will be identified as they were in Mati.

In a conversation with “K”, forensic scientist Nikos Karakoukis explains to us that the international protocol has changed and DNA identification has become mandatory, and this process is also error-free. “And this is because in cases where the bodies have undergone such extensive changes, the macroscopic method of identification is not enough,” adds Mr. Karakoukis.

He, along with the medical examiner Mr. Nikos Kalogria, indicate to K that DNA identification, after taking a sample of muscle tissue, will be carried out in the same way as was done in the Mati tragedy.

“There was me and Mr. Karakukis. Forensically, both tragedies have much in common, as in Mati there were many charred bodies, and unfortunately now in Tempi. Also, in both cases, there was no exact list of the names of the victims, which makes the medical part of our work difficult,” says Mr. Kalogrias, also emphasizing that in both tragedies, many of the victims were young people.

However, despite the many years of experience that all three coroners have, the process was very difficult and heartbreakingsince most of the dead were aged 15-18 years.

The pain is always great

“As a medical examiner, I was involved in the Mati tragedy, the Helios crash in 2005 and other fatal accidents. Each case is very painful in itself, and we must not forget how we coroners are basically people. Regarding the Tempe accident, I just think about the pain of a parent who lost their child, and I know that my own feeling is very “small” compared to what these people are going through, ”says Mr. Karakuki.

From the side TO. Zangelidu he recalls also being involved in a 2003 forensic trial when 21 students were tragically killed in a car accident at the same location.

“The pain is always great, especially when we are talking about small children and young people. Unfortunately, in this place that looks like a curse, the victims then and now were young children. I may have acquired over the years the technical knowledge of mass accident management, but we can never control the emotions that overwhelm us. The mental burden that we bear is enormous, and with each tragedy it grows,” she concludes. TO. Zangelidu.