Greek Parliament’s formal investigation into the role of former Transport Minister Kostas Karamanlis in the Tempi train disaster, which killed 57 people and triggered a national outcry over rail safety and public accountability, begins on Wednesday.
The preliminary committee, scheduled to hold its first session today at 11:00, will examine whether Karamanlis bears legal responsibility for breach of duty (malfeasance), a criminal misdemeanor under Greek law. The ruling New Democracy party is aiming to fast-track the proceedings and refer the case directly to a judicial council by late July.
Karamanlis resigned just days after the February 2023 crash, in which a passenger train collided head-on with a freight train in central Greece. His resignation was widely seen as a symbolic act of political responsibility.
The disaster shocked the nation and exposed long-standing weaknesses in the Greek railway system—including outdated infrastructure, understaffing, and neglected safety systems. Public anger exploded into mass protests, with widespread calls for deeper accountability at the political level.
The 26-member committee includes representatives from both the governing coalition and opposition parties. A final report is expected to be submitted for a Parliamentary vote no later than July 23.
If the case proceeds, it would mark a rare instance of a Greek minister being formally charged for alleged administrative failings while in office.
