The center of Athens turned into a battleground as hooded individuals began throwing Molotov cocktails.
The violence broke out following the conclusion of scheduled speeches at the rally for Tempi when a group of masked individuals hurled Molotov cocktails into the courtyard area beside the Parliament. Riot police (MAT) then intervened, attempting to push back the protesters.
Reports of Multiple Injuries in Central Athens. Despite the escalating tension, around 2,000 protesters remained in front of Parliament after 3:00 PM, chanting slogans against the government and the police. Members of the Presidential Guard had vacated the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where demonstrators had gathered.
Tear gas and water cannons used to disperse protesters in Syntagma, clashes continue in nearby streets
Greek police (ELAS) used tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters who remained in Syntagma Square, despite ongoing clashes in the surrounding streets.
Earlier, approximately 1,500 demonstrators had returned to continue their protest, but shortly after 4:00 PM, ELAS intervened to break up the crowd.
The rally, held in memory of the victims of the Tempi train disaster, was one of the largest in the country’s modern history. Hundreds of thousands of citizens gathered in and around Syntagma Square, demanding justice for the 57 victims of the railway tragedy.
Following the speeches by victims' relatives, hooded individuals began throwing stones and Molotov cocktails toward the Parliament, triggering widespread clashes. Nine people were injured in the violence, while approximately 50 arrests and hundreds of detentions have been reported.
Government Spokesman Pavlos Marinakis condemned what he described as, "...sickening minorities attempting to tarnish a day of mourning..." in the wake of the violent incidents that followed the massive Tempi rally in Syntagma Square. Defending the actions of ELAS, Marinakis stated that the police, "...responded calmly and professionally, repelling these attacks and preventing escalation, with the primary concern being the safety of the demonstrators."
Meanwhile, the Communist Party (KKE), SYRIZA, and the New Left issued statements calling for the government’s resignation, arguing that the Prime Minister has been "delegitimized" following the monumental protest.
120 detentions in Athens
Police have detained 120 individuals in central Athens in connection with the mass demonstration marking the second anniversary of the Tempi disaster.
Reports indicate that unidentified individuals took advantage of police restraint as authorities waited for the crowds to disperse. According to Action24, police were directing people toward the Hilton Hotel.
Earlier, ELAS sources stated that officers, following orders from the police headquarters, sought to prevent panic among the gathered protesters. They gradually moved demonstrators away from Syntagma Square toward Omonia and the Hilton to isolate the masked rioters.
According to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA-MPA), police later used tear gas and flash grenades, and clashes around Syntagma were still ongoing at the time of reporting.
