Critical questions about the “chain of mistakes” that led to the tragedy on Tempeand an explanation for the explosion that occurred after the collision of two trains was put forward by Christos Glavopoulos, a mechanical engineer and forensic scientist.

The first question he asked to ERT was whether the Larisis stationmaster knew that the commercial train was running on the same line as IC62. “It is not made public whether he knew that he was indeed sending a passenger train on the same route, this action cannot be explained logically,” Mr Glavopoulos said.

Secondly, according to him, looking at his console, the head of the station could see the process of convergence of two trains, that is, that they were going to collide. “Technical experts will have to investigate whether the console itself actually shows. How can we draw a conclusion if we do not know two key points? Firstly, if it were documented, and secondly, if the console really showed what it should show, ”he said characteristically.

In addition, he said that the Railway Regulatory Authority has to answer a number of questions as it checks, collects and solves the problems of OSE, ERGOSE, TRAINOSE, Hellenic Train and everyone involved in the country’s railway project.

train black boxes

Mr Glavopoulos also drew attention to the “black boxes” of the two trains containing the tachograph and, in all likelihood, to various conversations between the train driver and the stationmaster. The problem, of course, is that because of the high temperatures, the “black boxes” have most likely been damaged.

As he explains: “The black box with the conversation tachograph readings is an electronic system that, I hope, was not destroyed by the explosion. In all the rail accidents we have been involved in, under normal circumstances, the investigating authority instructs the OSE: “Take out the tachograph and tell us what it says.” In this particular case, I would like designated experts to be present during the seizure of the tachograph, if possible, and also during the examination and examination of the tachograph records, which should be carried out by independent experts, and not by the EGP itself, in order to ensure its integrity.

What caused the explosion?

Regarding the “mushroom” tens of meters high, which rose after the explosion, the medical examiner spoke with great confidence about the ignition of the oils that regulate the brake system.

“The brake system runs on oil, which is constantly under pressure, when a space explodes or a tank containing oil and other systems is suddenly released, gas appears and lights up,” he said.

According to ERT, each engine contained 2.5 tons of oil, i.e. five tons of oil in both chains.

The head-on collision raised the temperature above the self-ignition limit, ruptured the container, spilled oil, ignited and created this huge mushroom.

It is noted that, according to police and fire department investigations, the commercial train was carrying sheet metal, fruit and grain, and not any flammable materials.

“The chain of human error must be found”

Speaking of “human error,” Mr. Glavopoulos concluded, “The prime minister’s right is that he does not name who committed human error, and this should be investigated. Everyone thinks that the head of the station Larisa is to blame for the human error. Indeed, the last chain of human errors occurred when the station master appealed. However, the chain of human error that led to the last error should be investigated if it is an error and if there is a written telegram that a commercial train has arrived. When this is resolved, we will begin to move on to the next step.”