Parents who lost children in Greece’s deadly Tempi train crash have publicly distanced themselves from reported plans by Maria Karystianou, the head of their association, to launch a political party or movement.
Karystianou, whose 19-year-old daughter was killed in the crash, leads the Tempi 2023 Victims’ Relatives Association and spearheads the families’ campaign for accountability and justice.
However, four members of the association’s board said they were never informed of her intention to enter politics and stressed that, if true, such plans remain Karystianou’s personal choice and “do not concern us”.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, one day after Karystianou appeared on Kontra TV confirming the news, the board members said they had decided to distance themselves from ongoing public discussion about the creation of a “movement or party”.
Greek activist Maria Karystianou leads the Tempi 2023 Victims’ Relatives Association. Her 19-year-old daughter was killed in the crash.
During her television interview, Karystianou said that a political initiative could emerge “if the right people appear and the conditions are met”.
“These actions do not represent the Association, as they are not the result of collective discussion or decisions by the Board of Directors,” the statement said.
The board reiterated that the association remains focused only on its original mission: uncovering the full truth behind the Tempi disaster and ensuring punishment for those responsible, “no matter how high up they may be”.
“We are not concerned with involvement in politics,” the statement added.
The board members also said they had no knowledge of any “collaborators” or “staff” mentioned in relation to a potential political initiative, and stressed they had no involvement in such efforts.
Since its founding, the association said, its priority has been to prepare for the upcoming trial, amid what it describes as serious investigative failures, attempted cover-ups, and government messaging that obscures the core issues of the case.
The Tempi 2023 Victims’ Relatives Association was established by survivors and families of the 57 people killed in Greece’s worst rail disaster, which occurred on February 28, 2023, when a passenger train collided head-on with a freight train in central Greece.
According to a recent poll, 31.8% said they would support a party led by Karystianou in upcoming elections.
