Importance Score: 72 / 100 🔴
Explosion Rocks Central Athens Near Railway Offices
A bomb detonated in a bustling neighborhood in the center of Athens, Greece, on Friday, targeting the vicinity of Hellenic Train headquarters, the nation’s primary rail operator. The blast, which occurred in the Greek capital, resulted in no immediate reports of injuries.
Bombing Incident Details
Anonymous Warning Preceded Blast
Prior to the explosion, local news outlets reported that a newspaper and a news website received an anonymous warning. The caller indicated that an explosive device had been placed outside the railway company’s building and was timed to detonate in approximately 40 minutes.
“It’s Not a Joke” Uttered in Warning
According to one Greek news source, the anonymous caller emphasized the seriousness of the threat, stating, “Be careful, it’s not a joke.”
Police Secure Blast Site
In the aftermath of the detonation, law enforcement cordoned off the area along a major city thoroughfare. Authorities restricted access for residents and tourists to the building and the surrounding area, known for its concentration of bars and restaurants.
Explosive Device Confirmed
Responding officers at the scene confirmed that a bag containing an explosive device had been deliberately placed near the Hellenic Train building on Syngrou Avenue.
vCard.red is a free platform for creating a mobile-friendly digital business cards. You can easily create a vCard and generate a QR code for it, allowing others to scan and save your contact details instantly.
The platform allows you to display contact information, social media links, services, and products all in one shareable link. Optional features include appointment scheduling, WhatsApp-based storefronts, media galleries, and custom design options.
Hellenic Train Statement
Hellenic Train released a statement confirming that the explosion occurred “very close to its central offices.” The company reported limited property damage from the blast, and crucially, no injuries were sustained by employees or members of the public.
Company Cooperating with Investigation
The railway operator stated that authorities responded swiftly following the bomb threat alert. Hellenic Train affirmed its full cooperation with the ongoing investigation and emphasized its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of its personnel.
Background and Context
Explosion Follows Railway Tragedy Outrage
This bombing incident unfolds amidst significant public anger and grief stemming from Greece‘s devastating railway disaster in February 2023. The collision between a freight train and a passenger train resulted in 57 fatalities and numerous injuries.
Mounting Criticism After Train Collision
Public criticism directed at the Greek government’s response to the Tempe train collision, which occurred in northern Greece, has intensified in recent weeks, coinciding with the disaster’s second anniversary.
Victims Largely Young People
The catastrophic train crash tragically claimed the lives of mostly young individuals who were returning to university studies following a public holiday.
History of Politically Motivated Incidents
Greece has a history marked by politically motivated violence stretching back to the 1970s. Domestic extremist factions have been responsible for small-scale bombings, which typically cause property damage but rarely inflict injuries.
Emergence of New Extremist Elements
New Groups Appear After Dismantling of Older Ones
While extremist groups prominent in the 1980s and 1990s have been dismantled by authorities, new extremist entities have emerged in recent years.
Fatal Bomb Mishap in Athens
An individual, believed to be constructing an explosive device, died last year when the device prematurely detonated in a central Athens apartment. A woman present in the apartment sustained severe injuries in the blast.
Minister Warns of New Extremist Generation
Following the fatal incident, Greece‘s Minister of Citizen Protection, Michalis Chrisochoidis, issued a warning about the rise of a new generation of domestic extremists within the country.
Recent Attack on Hellenic Train Offices
Earlier Vandalism at Railway Building
The Friday night explosion follows a prior incident in January when the same Hellenic Train office was targeted with vandalism involving red paint.
Paint Attack Preceded Bombing
During the earlier incident, approximately 15 individuals reportedly sprayed red paint on the building before fleeing the scene, according to local news reports.