The Larissa Prosecutor’s Office has decided to allow the exhumation and toxicological examination of the victims from the tragic Tempi railway crash, according to sources. Until now, the judicial authorities had only approved exhumations for the purpose of DNA identification, despite formal requests from several of the families of some of the 57 victims. The decision comes amid growing public attention and emotional appeals from relatives seeking answers about the circumstances of their loved ones’ deaths.
Families, including hunger -striker Panos Ruci, along with others representing victims’ relatives, have pressed for broader examinations. Ruci who is on the 22nd day of his hunger strike has been in the forefront of this. They have insisted that toxicological testing is necessary to determine the exact causes of death, beyond mere identification.
According to judicial sources, the toxicological tests will be carried out by expert forensic scientists from the official register of the Larissa Prosecutor’s Office, as required by law. Families of the victims will be able to appoint their own independent technical advisors to oversee the process and obtain parallel results.
Authorities have clarified that these procedures will not lead to the reopening of the main investigation into the Tempi tragedy. The trial is expected to commence at a later date. Instead, a separate case file will be formed specifically for the exhumations and subsequent examinations. Should the results uncover potential criminal responsibilities, such as possible failures by forensic experts or other individuals, this separate case file could lead to charges. Nevertheless, when the main trial into the Tempi railway tragedy commences the findings of this investigation will also be available for use.
The Larissa Prosecutor’s Office is expected to formally announce its decision in the coming days marking a significant step toward transparency and closure for the affected families and their supporters.
