Athens, bomb outside Hellenic Train headquarters

According to Greek police sources, an explosive device, characterized as primarily symbolic, was detonated in Athens in front of the main offices of Hellenic Train, the Greek railway transportation firm managed by Trenitalia since 2017. Before the explosion, local news outlets and online sources received notification regarding the presence of a device set to detonate outside the company’s premises within approximately 35 to 40 minutes. Despite the prompt response of law enforcement, who evacuated the building and halted vehicular traffic, the bomb disposal unit was unable to neutralize the device before its detonation. The explosion resulted in property damage to the surrounding area, but no injuries were reported. The Anti-Terrorism Unit is currently analyzing the remnants of the device, as well as reviewing surveillance footage from the vicinity. Preliminary investigations suggest that the individual responsible for the attack secured a backpack containing the explosive to a pole with a padlock before fleeing the scene. While no group has claimed responsibility, investigators suspect a connection to the demonstrations concerning the Tebi train collision of February 28, 2023, which resulted in 57 fatalities. A technical expert opinion commissioned by the relatives of some victims found that the freight train was carrying an undeclared quantity of flammable substances. These substances acted as accelerants, intensifying the fire that caused the death of the passengers.