Dozens dead after two trains collide in Greece

Greece’s transport minister has resigned and a station master arrested after at least 36 people died in a train crash that has been called a “unimaginable tragedy”.

The Greek transport minister has resigned and a railway station master has been charged with manslaughter after a train crash in Greece that left at least 36 people dead.

More than 85 people were injured after two trains collided head on Tuesday night near Larissa in the Thessaly region of central Greece.

Temperatures reportedly reached 1300C in one of the burning carriages meaning it was “hard to identify” those inside.

Police have said a 59-year-old man was charged with manslaughter and grievous bodily harm by way of negligence. He has denied any wrongdoing, reported the BBC, and said a technical issue could be the cause.

His role is reportedly to look after signalling.

Footage from local media outlets show twisted wreckage lying on train tracks as emergency vehicles flocked to the scene in a frantic bid to rescue survivors.

So far, 36 deaths have been confirmed, although the death toll is set to rise further as the search for survivors continues.

Emergency crews examining the wreckage after a train accident in the Tempi Valley near Larissa, Greece. Picture: Stringer / AFP

Wrecked wagons and mangled pieces of metal are seen near the tracks after the accident. Picture: Sakis Mitrolidis / AFP

Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou has said the crash was an “unimaginable tragedy” with mainly “young people” among the dead.

The government has declared three days of national mourning from Wednesday.

In the wake of the tragedy, Greece’s transport minister, Kostas Karamanlis, announced he would resign, saying it was his “duty” to do so as a “basic indication of respect for the memory of the people who died so unfairly”.

Pope Francis has sent his “heartfelt condolences” to the victims and families.

Fire Service spokesman Vassilis Varthakoyiannis said in a televised press briefing that the tragedy occurred just before midnight on Tuesday night local time.

“The evacuation process is ongoing and is being carried out under very difficult conditions due to the severity of the collision between the two trains,” Mr Varthakoyiannis said, adding that at least 150 firefighters were at the site along with 20 ambulances as search and rescue gets underway.

Greece’s transport minister Kostas Karamanls (left) and Greek prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (centre) visit the crash site. Picture: AFP/Greek Prime Minister’s Office

At least 36 people died in the train which was carrying 350 people. Picture: Sakis Mitrolidis / AFP

Firefighters and rescuers work to free passengers from a railroad car after a rail accident involving a collision between a cargo and a passenger train in the Evangelismos area of Larissa, Greece. Picture: Stringer/SOON/SOON via AFP

Temperatures reached 1300C

The incident occurred when a passenger train with around 350 people on board – which was travelling from Athens to Thessaloniki – hit a freight train near the city of Larissa, around 380km north of the capital.

The first four passenger carriages were derailed in the crash, and several burst into flames after impact.

The crash felt like an explosion, said passenger Stefanos Gogakos, who was in a rear carriage.

“The glass in the windows shattered and fell on top of us,” he told ERT. “My head hit the roof of the carriage with the jolt.

“Some people started to climb out through the windows because there was smoke in the carriage. The doors were closed but in a few minutes train staff opened them, and we got out.”

Regional governor of the Thessaly Costas Agorastos told SKAI TV of the horror conditions after the high speed collision.

President of Greece Katerina Sakellaropoulou has said it is an “unimaginable tragedy”. Picture: Sakis Mitrolidis / AFP

Sadly, the death toll is expected to rise. Picture: Stringer/SOON/SOON via AFP

Students hold a candlelight vigil for victims of the train disaster. Picture: Louisa Gouliamaki / AFP

“Carriage one and two no longer exist, and the third has derailed,” he said.

Temperatures are said to have reached 1300C in the most severely damaged parts of the train.

“It makes it hard to identify the people who were inside,” said Fire Service head Mr Varthakoyiannis

At least 250 people have already been rescued, but sadly, authorities have warned that the death toll is likely to rise given the severity of the impact.

The cause of the tragedy is not yet known, but shaken witnesses have started to paint a terrifying picture of exactly what unfolded during interviews with media.

“There was panic in the carriage, people were screaming,” an unnamed man told Reuters after being evacuated, with another saying the crash was “like an earthquake”.