The blast, linked to a backpack bomb, raised fears but thankfully resulted in no reported injuries or fatalities.
**Explosion Rocks Central Athens: No Casualties Reported**
**Explosion Rocks Central Athens: No Casualties Reported**
An explosion occurred near the Hellenic Train offices in Athens, raising concerns after an anonymous tip-off.
An explosion shook central Athens late Friday night, near the offices of the Hellenic Train company. Surveillance footage captured the moment when the blast erupted from what appeared to be a backpack, left unattended outside the office complex close to Leoforos Andrea Siggrou, a principal highway in the city. Law enforcement officials confirmed that there were no injuries or fatalities, despite the incident occurring during peak traffic hours.
Prior to the explosion, anonymous calls were made to various Greek media outlets, warning of a potential attack. Transport Minister Christos Staikouras denounced the explosion as a "criminal act" that threatened public safety. He characterized it as beyond justification, stating, "Nothing justifies terrorism, no act of violence brings justice."
Local news sources, including the Greek daily Efsyn and website Zougla, further reported that the explosive device had been secured in a padlocked backpack on an unregistered scooter. Tragically, the police bomb disposal team arrived too late to neutralize the threat before it detonated.
Hellenic Train released a statement assuring that no staff members or civilians were hurt, and that the damage was limited. The company condemned all forms of violence that exacerbate societal tensions, suggesting a commitment to peace.
The blast comes against a backdrop of heightened tension in Greece, stemming from a devastating train collision in February 2023 that claimed 57 lives, most of which were students. The incident has ignited widespread public outrage and protests, calling for accountability and justice.
Though the cause of the explosion remains under investigation, local authorities continue to grapple with the social unrest stemming from the prior railway disaster, with many observing that systemic issues have yet to be addressed. The ongoing demands for justice following the train tragedy highlight the urgency for reforms within Greece’s transport safety protocols.
Prior to the explosion, anonymous calls were made to various Greek media outlets, warning of a potential attack. Transport Minister Christos Staikouras denounced the explosion as a "criminal act" that threatened public safety. He characterized it as beyond justification, stating, "Nothing justifies terrorism, no act of violence brings justice."
Local news sources, including the Greek daily Efsyn and website Zougla, further reported that the explosive device had been secured in a padlocked backpack on an unregistered scooter. Tragically, the police bomb disposal team arrived too late to neutralize the threat before it detonated.
Hellenic Train released a statement assuring that no staff members or civilians were hurt, and that the damage was limited. The company condemned all forms of violence that exacerbate societal tensions, suggesting a commitment to peace.
The blast comes against a backdrop of heightened tension in Greece, stemming from a devastating train collision in February 2023 that claimed 57 lives, most of which were students. The incident has ignited widespread public outrage and protests, calling for accountability and justice.
Though the cause of the explosion remains under investigation, local authorities continue to grapple with the social unrest stemming from the prior railway disaster, with many observing that systemic issues have yet to be addressed. The ongoing demands for justice following the train tragedy highlight the urgency for reforms within Greece’s transport safety protocols.
