He announced compensation to the families of the victims yesterday, Wednesday, Greek trainhowever, after drawing the ire of many, as stated in the related announcement, the payment of sums of money is not the assumption of liability.

“In connection with this decision of the Hellenic Train management to pay advances to cover urgent financial needs, both to the families of the deceased passengers of the railway accident of passenger train IC 62 dated February 28, 2023, and to the members of the affected passengers of the same accident, without in any way assuming responsibility on the part of the company in accordance with the provisions of European Regulation 1371/2007, but for both reasons special social sensitivity and also taking into account European legislation and practice in such railway accidents”, his message characteristically notes.

Recall that the company announced:

• Advance payment of EUR 42,000.00 to the families of deceased passengers
• To affected passengers, regardless of the severity of the injury, an advance payment of (a) EUR 5,000.00 if, as of the date of this announcement, they have not been admitted to any hospital or clinic, and (b) EUR 10,000.00 if, as of the date of this announcement, they remain hospitalized in any nursing facility or clinic and for the purpose of meeting immediate financial needs of all of the above, despite the fact that European law does not provide for a specific minimum amount of the advance payment.
• The families of those killed, injured and other passengers on the upper train during the accident will be compensated in the amount of 300.00 euros for all their luggage, including hand luggage, personal effects and animals.

In accordance with ERTAccording to the European regulation, railway companies are obliged to pay the stipulated compensation without delay in accordance with the damage caused. However, the Hellenic Train announcements, combined with the lack of communication reported by passengers in the early days of the accident, sparked a wave of anger from the victims and their families.

“No amount of compensation will break our struggle for a fair and exemplary punishment of all those responsible for the tragedy. They should be ashamed just thinking about it,” said Stelios Surlas, a lawyer for the victim’s family.