A little-known insurgent group calling itself Revolutionary Class Self-Defence has stepped into the spotlight, claiming it orchestrated the bombing of Hellenic Train’s headquarters in Athens on April 11. The group’s statement, posted on the anarchist website Athens Indymedia, framed the attack as payback for the deadly 2023 train disaster that left 57 people dead.
Greek authorities confirmed on Monday, April 14, that the anti-terrorism unit is now actively investigating the group’s activities.
Although the explosion caused only minor property damage and no injuries, it rattled nerves across the capital. A pair of anonymous phone tips to local media gave police just enough time to evacuate the building and surrounding area.
In their manifesto, the group accused the rail operator of systemic neglect and slammed the Greek state for “selling off” public infrastructure during the 2009–2018 financial crisis. Hellenic Train, now a subsidiary of Italy’s state railway operator Ferrovie dello Stato, has faced repeated criticism over safety protocols since taking over Greece’s passenger and cargo lines.
Not stopping there, the group also took credit for a separate bombing earlier this year at Greece’s labor ministry—an incident that similarly avoided casualties thanks to a prior warning.
Both attacks, according to the group’s declaration, were also carried out in solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing war in Gaza, adding an international dimension to their list of grievances.
As Greek intelligence officials work to determine the group’s reach and resources, the bombings have reignited concerns about domestic extremism and the lingering scars of past economic upheaval.
