A solidarity rally in support of Panos Ruci, who is on hunger strike over the Tempi train disaster, took place on Sunday afternoon in Syntagma Square. Citizens, organizations, and grassroots groups have gathered to back his demands and call for justice for the victims of the tragedy.

The Solidarity Committee for Panos Ruci declared that “the hunger strike concerns all of us,” urging support for what it called “just demands” linked to the ongoing case. Demonstrators carried banners with messages such as “Our lives are at risk, and government negligence kills,” highlighting their anger over the handling of the disaster.

Ruci whose 22-year-old son Denni was killed in the Tempi crash, has reached his 14th day without food. His hunger strike follows a recent decision by the Larissa prosecutor ordering the exhumation of his son’s remains, but permitting only identification and not toxicological tests.

In addition to the Athens protest, rallies were also held in other parts of the country. In Thessaloniki, demonstrators gathered at the “Tree of Memory” monument, dedicated to the 57 victims of the train disaster. Despite heavy rain, the turnout was significant, with participants demanding accountability and expressing solidarity with Routsis’ fight.