The investigation into the alteration of the site of the Tempi railway tragedy, in which 57 people died, concluded with the testimony of former Deputy Minister for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Christos Triantopoulos, before the appellate investigator of the Judicial Council of the Special Court for Ministerial Responsibility, Fotini Milioni.

Following the completion of all testimonies, the case file regarding the illegal alteration of the accident site will be submitted to the Judicial Council of the Special Court, which is expected to decide in February whether a Special Court will be convened or whether Mr. Triantopoulos will be acquitted.

Triantopoulos has been referred by Parliament and is being investigated for the misdemeanor of dereliction of duty, under the law on ministerial responsibility. The case concerns the so-called “filling in” of the accident site after the collision of the two trains.

The appellate investigator, having completed the investigative acts, examined witnesses, and collected evidence, called a total of eight defendants to testify. Apart from the former deputy minister, the other seven were non-political individuals, also under investigation for dereliction of duty related to the alteration of the accident site.

Specifically, those who testified included former Thessaly Regional Governor Konstantinos Agorastos, the then Secretary General of Civil Protection, as well as the heads of the Fire Service and Traffic Police in Larissa at the critical time. Three additional employees of the Fire Service also provided explanations.

The investigation focuses on the handling of the accident site immediately after the collision on the night of February 28, 2023, which, according to the case file, allegedly led to changes in the site and the loss of critical evidence necessary for the criminal investigation into the causes of the accident.

Christos Triantopoulos, who had not given explanations to Parliament, appeared before the investigator and denied the charges against him, arguing that he did not order the illegal alteration of the Tempi accident site, known as the “filling in.”

His testimony was accompanied by the submission of a written memorandum signed by his lawyer, university professor Alexandros Dimakis.