Transport Minister resigns, 'It's the least I can do for the victims of this tragedy'

In a statement, Karamanlis announced his resignation as Minister of Road and Transport.

His statement is detailed below:

"I've just returned from Tempe, where the railway tragedy occurred. The agony is indescribable.

It is true that we received the Greek railway in an unfit state for the twenty-first century. We have worked tirelessly over the last 3.5 years to improve this situation. Unfortunately, these efforts were insufficient to avert such an accident. And this is very heavy for all of us, including myself.

When something so tragic occurs, it is impossible to go on as if nothing happened. I've only been in politics for a few years, but I believe that citizens' trust in the political system is a critical component of our democracy. This is referred to as political responsibility.

As a result, I am submitting my resignation as Minister of Infrastructure and Transport. It is what I feel obligated to do as a minimum mark of respect for the memory of those who have died unjustly, as well as by accepting responsibility for the Greek state's and political system's enduring mistakes.

From the bottom of my heart, I express once again my grief and my sympathy to the families of the victims".