Economou: Nine bodies have been identified; this tragedy has shocked us all

“We are all devastated,” he said, underlining that the Prime Minister and the government express their condolences to the victims’ families and at the same time want to pay tribute to the rescuers and all the people who did everything they could in such a difficult and emotionally painful mission. He referred to the declaration of a three-day national mourning and clarified that the state will cover the expenses for the funerals of the victims. The spokesperson also announced that nine bodies have been identified so far using DNA analysis on samples supplied by relatives and that the process will continue more rapidly. Economou noted that the size of the tragedy was such that it demanded a reaction on other levels as well. He said that an investigation has been already launched into the causes of the accident and the station master of Larissa has been arrested. He also pointed out that, apart from clarifying its cause and attributing responsibilities, it was necessary for this tragic experience to be analysed in depth “so we can do everything possible to prevent any such accident in the future.” He also underlined that interim Infrastructure and Transport Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis, after the resignation of Kostas Karamanlis, will immediately form a cross party committee of experts to examine the causes of the accident and the long delays in the implementation of railway infrastructure projects.