Prosecutor's intervention in case of possible commuter train collision

The reason prosecutor's intervention was the incident that occurred on Friday morning with two commuter trainswhich were moving in opposite directions on the same line, between the stations of Athens and Agios Anargyros.

The head of the Public Prosecutor's Office, Antonis Eleftherianos, ordered a preliminary criminal investigation to be launched into the crime of dangerous interference with the operation of fixed-gauge transport (Article 291 of the PC).

As part of the investigation that GADA will conduct, the prosecutor is asking for all key evidence, such as audio documents relating to the incident and findings, to be preserved. OSEand also take all necessary readings.

The investigation has been supervised by the prosecutor of the first instance, Angeliki Triantafillou. It is noted that the head of the OSE station, who gave wrong order train 1307, sailing from Kiato to Athenshad already been sent on leave for 30 days.

Chronicle

The incident was recorded this morning.(13/09/2024) at 09:13, when train 1210 departed from Athens Station and started moving towards Agios Anargyros Station. At the same time, according to OSE, train 1307, coming from Kiato, received an order from SKA to start moving towards Athens Station.

However, the Athens stationmaster and the driver of train 1210 mobilised when they heard SKA’s order to dispatch train 1307. The former contacted the SKA stationmaster via GSMR, ordering the train to be cancelled immediately, while the driver of train 1210 contacted the driver of train 1307 via VHF and informed him that he was already moving towards Agios Anargyros railway station. According to a statement from OSE, the driver of train 1307 also sensed the situation and stopped the train. OSE claims that the stop occurred before both trains were on the same track.

Train 1210 waited until train 1307 passed before continuing on its route. According to OSE, both trains were travelling at 60 km/h and the distance between them was about 3 km.

“It was the stationmaster's mistake. However, the drivers took safety measures provided for by the general traffic rules, and the incident was avoided,” – OSE said. It is worth noting that on the section from Larissa station to Agios Anargyros the line is single due to underground works, and the remote control system, which is a strong safety valve and prevents human errors, does not work.

What OSE says

“In connection with the incident that occurred today, 13 September 2024, on the section of the single line between Athens and Agia Anargyroi stations, OSE would like to stress the following. At approximately 09:13, train 1210, bound for the airport, received a signal to depart from Athens station. While train 1210 was moving towards Agios Anargyra station, train 1307 from Kiato received an order from SKA to start moving towards Athens station. The Station Master of Athens and the driver of train 1210, having heard the order from SKA to dispatch train 1307, contacted SKA via GSM-R, where an immediate order was given to cancel the movement of train 1307 towards SS Athens, while the driver of train 1210 contacted the driver of train 1307 via VHF and informed him that he was already moving towards SS Ag. Anargyra. Almost at the same time, the driver of train 1307 realized the situation and immediately stopped the train as soon as it left SS Agion Anargyra, a distance of 500 m.

After informing OSE management of the incident, the following actions were taken:

• An investigation has been ordered to clarify the circumstances of the incident.
• The SKA stationmaster who gave the order for exit 1307 has been suspended from work and referred to a disciplinary council.
• GSM-R and VHF radio recordings have been collected.
• The RAS and EODASAM were informed about the incident.

It is once again emphasized that strict compliance by all train traffic participants with the provisions of the General Traffic Rules, which include a number of safety valves, is a decisive factor for the smooth operation of railway traffic. OSE management has taken initiatives to further improve the level of staff training in order to prevent individual errors. The goal remains continuous improvement of services, with the top priority being passenger safety and trust.”

What the Machinists' Union Says

“This morning, 13/9, trains 1210 and 1307 almost collided head-on between Athens and Agios Anargyros stations while they were moving on the same line in opposite directions, following orders received from stations on both sides. The collision was averted because the driver of train 1210 realized the error in the orders given to the two trains when the driver of train 1307 began to give the order for it to depart from Agios Anargyros station. Today we could have had a real, not imaginary, serious incident, which was avoided thanks to the professionalism and dedication of the drivers, who understood what was going to happen.

At this point, we must inform you that the driver of train 1210, who noticed the error and prevented the collision, is the president of our trade union, which a few months ago was personally attacked by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, making a corresponding statement regarding the violation of the red light at that time: “… the same person who, as a train driver, violates the traffic light signal, endangering the safety of citizens, in his trade union capacity signs announcements on the safety of passengers.” We are awaiting a statement from OSE, Hellenic Train and, in particular, a statement from the competent minister, recalling that in the place where the incident occurred, the telecommand, ETCS and light signals are not working”.

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