**The blast comes in the wake of a major railway disaster that left 57 people dead, fueling ongoing public anger and demonstrative unrest.**
**Explosion Rocks Central Athens Amid Ongoing Public Discontent Over Railway Safety**
**Explosion Rocks Central Athens Amid Ongoing Public Discontent Over Railway Safety**
**Unattended backpack detonates close to Hellenic Train offices, with no injuries reported.**
An explosion in central Athens has stirred fresh tensions in a city grappling with deep-seated grievances linked to railway safety. The blast occurred near the offices of Hellenic Train, triggered by a device reportedly concealed inside an unattended backpack late on Friday. Thankfully, no casualties were reported, as the incident coincided with a busy traffic period on Leoforos Andrea Siggrou, one of Athens' key thoroughfares.
According to police reports, anonymous callers had warned local media outlets about the impending explosion, leading authorities to dispatch bomb disposal experts. However, the device detonated before they could arrive on scene. Greece's Transport Minister Christos Staikouras sharply condemned the act, labeling it a "criminal act" that recklessly endangered lives, insisting that no form of violence can ever be justified.
Initial investigations reveal that the explosive was likely positioned within a padlocked backpack placed on an unregistered scooter. Hellenic Train issued a statement expressing relief that no employees or bystanders were harmed in the blast, while also condemning all manifestations of violence that detract from meaningful progress within society.
This incident unfolds against a backdrop of persistent public anger stemming from a devastating train collision in early 2023, which resulted in the deaths of 57 individuals, predominantly young students. In the aftermath of the disaster, Greece has seen numerous protests, some of which escalated into violence, leading to clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement. An inquiry into the train crash identified human error, insufficient maintenance, and staffing issues as core factors. While the national mood remains fraught with frustration, a timeline has yet to emerge regarding legal proceedings related to the tragedy.
As authorities investigate the recent explosion, Athens grapples with the broader implications of transportation safety and community relations amidst escalating violence and unrest.
According to police reports, anonymous callers had warned local media outlets about the impending explosion, leading authorities to dispatch bomb disposal experts. However, the device detonated before they could arrive on scene. Greece's Transport Minister Christos Staikouras sharply condemned the act, labeling it a "criminal act" that recklessly endangered lives, insisting that no form of violence can ever be justified.
Initial investigations reveal that the explosive was likely positioned within a padlocked backpack placed on an unregistered scooter. Hellenic Train issued a statement expressing relief that no employees or bystanders were harmed in the blast, while also condemning all manifestations of violence that detract from meaningful progress within society.
This incident unfolds against a backdrop of persistent public anger stemming from a devastating train collision in early 2023, which resulted in the deaths of 57 individuals, predominantly young students. In the aftermath of the disaster, Greece has seen numerous protests, some of which escalated into violence, leading to clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement. An inquiry into the train crash identified human error, insufficient maintenance, and staffing issues as core factors. While the national mood remains fraught with frustration, a timeline has yet to emerge regarding legal proceedings related to the tragedy.
As authorities investigate the recent explosion, Athens grapples with the broader implications of transportation safety and community relations amidst escalating violence and unrest.
