Karamanlis on Tempi Tragedy: 'My Tears Were Real,' Claims Political Exploitation

ATHENS, Greece – Former Minister Kostas Karamanlis has publicly addressed the devastating Tempi train tragedy, asserting that his emotional response to the disaster was genuine and profound. Speaking from a parliamentary setting, Karamanlis stated, "My tears were real when I saw the site of the tragedy and the wagons of the passenger train." He described the incident as "a national tragedy that marked us all. However, Karamanlis also critically remarked on the subsequent handling of the event, claiming that the tragedy was transformed into a "field of intense political confrontation" and ultimately, "political exploitation." He added, "I found myself at the center of this political exploitation." His statement highlights the ongoing debate and political tensions surrounding the investigation and accountability for the Tempi train crash, which remains a highly sensitive issue in Greece.