Authorities call for justice after the incident raises alarm in light of previous railway disaster.
**Violent Blast in Central Athens Sparks Outrage Amid Ongoing Grievances**
**Violent Blast in Central Athens Sparks Outrage Amid Ongoing Grievances**
Explosion rattles city streets as officials condemn a "criminal act" during peak hours.
In a startling incident last night, an explosion rocked central Athens, close to the offices of the Hellenic Train, following anonymous threats received by media outlets. The blast, captured on CCTV, was reportedly caused by an explosive device concealed in a backpack that had been left outside the building. Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities have been reported, according to local authorities.
The explosion occurred during busy traffic hours near Leoforos Andrea Siggrou, prompting immediate condemnation from Greece's Transport Minister, Christos Staikouras, who labeled it a "criminal act" that endangered countless lives. The backpack was found padlocked on a scooter without license plates, leading to concerns over the timing and location of the act.
Witnesses reported that the police bomb disposal squad arrived at the scene too late to neutralize the device. Staikouras emphasized that "nothing justifies terrorism" and criticized the violence that fuels societal tension, calling for legal action against the perpetrators. Hellenic Train confirmed that their employees were unharmed, and the damage was minimal.
This explosion occurs against a backdrop of heightened emotions in Greece, especially following a tragic train collision in February 2023 that claimed the lives of 57 people, predominantly students. The incident has ignited an ongoing wave of protests demanding accountability for the disaster, with demonstrations at times escalating into violence against police.
An official inquiry attributed the crash to human error, coupled with inadequate maintenance and staffing in the railway system. The community awaits a trial date as tensions linger, driving both public outrage and calls for justice within the state.
The explosion occurred during busy traffic hours near Leoforos Andrea Siggrou, prompting immediate condemnation from Greece's Transport Minister, Christos Staikouras, who labeled it a "criminal act" that endangered countless lives. The backpack was found padlocked on a scooter without license plates, leading to concerns over the timing and location of the act.
Witnesses reported that the police bomb disposal squad arrived at the scene too late to neutralize the device. Staikouras emphasized that "nothing justifies terrorism" and criticized the violence that fuels societal tension, calling for legal action against the perpetrators. Hellenic Train confirmed that their employees were unharmed, and the damage was minimal.
This explosion occurs against a backdrop of heightened emotions in Greece, especially following a tragic train collision in February 2023 that claimed the lives of 57 people, predominantly students. The incident has ignited an ongoing wave of protests demanding accountability for the disaster, with demonstrations at times escalating into violence against police.
An official inquiry attributed the crash to human error, coupled with inadequate maintenance and staffing in the railway system. The community awaits a trial date as tensions linger, driving both public outrage and calls for justice within the state.
