A train carrying 38 passengers on the scenic Diakopto–Kalavryta line in southern Greece broke down on Sunday afternoon, leaving travelers stranded in a rugged mountain location for nearly four hours.

The incident occurred at around 3:27 p.m., when the train, which had departed Diakopto at 3:05 p.m., came to a halt due to a technical failure near the area of Triklia, about 6 kilometers into the route. The remote location made immediate access difficult, prompting passengers to call the emergency number 112.

Rescue operation

Authorities launched a large-scale operation to safely evacuate the passengers. With the supervision of the Fire Service, travelers were transferred to a backup train that had been dispatched to the site. The evacuation was completed shortly after 7:30 p.m.

The passengers were then taken back to Diakopto, where a bus provided by Hellenic Train was waiting to transport those wishing to continue to Kalavryta, the train’s original destination.

Official statement

In a statement, Hellenic Train confirmed the breakdown and thanked passengers for their understanding, noting that the company is investigating the causes of the technical issue.

The Diakopto–Kalavryta railway, also known as the Odontotos rack railway, is one of Greece’s most famous train routes, attracting tourists for its dramatic mountain scenery.