Death toll rises to 57 in Tempe tragedy

Source: Skai.gr

The death toll from the tragedy in Tempe has risen to 57, according to statements by Rubini Leontari, head of the forensic service of Larissa.

Mrs. Leontari told RealFM that 14 burned bodies were taken to the morgue today. Another seven burned bodies were taken to the morgue yesterday.

Rubini Leontari also stated that the morgue now has more than ten bags of body parts.

"DNA has been taken from each body part, so that dismembered bodies may be matched with its missing pieces, moreover, these body parts will have already been DNA tested in order to match to a relative or family member," she explained.

The condition of the injured

According to the latest information about the injured from the train collision in Tempe, six intubated patients remain in critical condition. In particular, 21 injured are being treated in hospitals in Thessaloniki and Thessaly. 14 are in AHEPA and 3 more in the Gennimatas hospital in Thessaloniki.

In addition, 2 patients are in the General Hospital of Katerini and 2 others in the hospitals of Trikala and Karditsa. The condition of the nearly 35 injured people treated at the two hospitals in Larissa - apart from those in intensive care - is manageable and they are all out of danger.

Meanwhile, Kathimerini Greece has reported that the Hellenic Train stationmaster in Larissa, who was arrested on Wednesday in connection with the train accident, was given until Saturday to prepare his defense.

The man appeared before an investigative magistrate in the town of Larissa on Thursday where he was charged with dangerous disruptions of transportation, which due to the deaths caused is considered a felony, his lawyer told journalists outside the court.

He is also expected to face charges of manslaughter through negligence, bodily harm through negligence and dangerous interventions in means of transportation (article 291 of the penal code).

“On a human level, he’s devastated. He reflects upon what happened and cannot bear the burden of responsibility. He accepts the responsibility that belongs to him,” his lawyer said. “But it is important that we do not miss the forest for the trees. And here, there is a ‘forest’ of responsibilities,” he added.

“I believe that Justice will do its job very well.”