A serious accident was narrowly avoided on Monday evening when a Hellenic Train service collided with a herd of animals on the Thessaloniki–Athens route.
According to the company, the incident occurred at 18:25 near the town of Aliartos, when InterCity train IC55 struck the animals after they entered the tracks. The train, carrying around 400 passengers, was forced to stop, sustaining minor damage.
No injuries were reported among passengers or staff, who remained safe on board. After inspections were completed, the train resumed its journey to Athens with a delay of 95 minutes.
Hellenic Train said its staff stayed in close contact with passengers during the stoppage, offering water and regular updates while they waited inside the air-conditioned train.
Under European Regulation 2021/782, passengers are entitled to a 25% refund of their ticket price due to the delay. Refunds can be requested either at ticket offices or online, depending on the method of purchase. Customers are advised to visit the Hellenic Train website or contact customer service for full details on the claims process.
