A bomb exploded near the central Athens offices of Hellenic Train, Greece’s national railway company, on Friday evening. While no injuries were reported, the blast rattled a busy district of the city and reignited public anger over the 2023 Tempi railway disaster that claimed 57 lives.
The explosion occurred on Syngrou Avenue, an area lined with restaurants and bars, not far from the company’s headquarters. Authorities said the device had been placed in a bag near the building and detonated shortly after an anonymous warning call was made to a newspaper and a news website, claiming a bomb would explode within 40 minutes.
Tourist Greg Almaguer from Texas was dining with his family nearby when the bomb went off. “I just heard the explosion and started smelling the powder,” he said. “Right away, I could tell there was just a big explosion, powerful and scary.”
Police cordoned off the area and forensics teams in protective coveralls collected evidence at the site. According to Hellenic Train, the explosion caused only limited damage and did not injure any employees or bystanders.
The company said in a statement that the blast occurred “very close to its central offices” and emphasized that it was “cooperating fully with authorities and ensuring the safety of its staff.” It also confirmed that authorities acted quickly following the anonymous warning.
The attack comes at a time of heightened tension and ongoing protests, especially surrounding the second anniversary of the tragic train crash in Tempi on February 28, 2023. The accident — Greece’s worst rail disaster — occurred when a freight train and a passenger train were mistakenly directed onto the same track.
Many of the victims were young students returning to university after a public holiday, and the tragedy laid bare major flaws in the country’s railway safety systems.
Public outrage has intensified in recent weeks, with large demonstrations led by victims’ families demanding accountability. Critics of the conservative government argue that political leaders have evaded responsibility and failed to bring senior officials to justice.
So far, only lower-level railway personnel have faced criminal charges in connection with the disaster. Several recent protests have escalated into violent confrontations with police.
As investigations into the Athens bombing continue, the incident underscores the lingering trauma of the Tempi tragedy — and the growing frustration over unanswered questions and unresolved grief.
