The lead investigator of Greece’s air and rail accident authority has stepped down amidst growing controversy surrounding the inquiry into the country’s deadliest train disaster in decades. Christos Papadimitriou, head of the newly established Hellenic Authority for Railway and Air Accident Investigation (HARSIA), resigned on Tuesday, citing increasing pressure and criticism directed at the organization’s findings related to the 2023 Tempi train crash that killed 57 people.

The resignation follows the Greek Supreme Court prosecutor’s decision to launch an inquiry into HARSIA’s official report, which was released last month. The report drew national attention for identifying unresolved safety deficiencies in the country’s rail infrastructure and raising serious questions about the circumstances of the fatal collision. Notably, it cast doubt on whether the post-collision fireball, which engulfed several train cars, could have resulted from standard train equipment—suggesting that the cargo of the freight train involved might have played a more significant role than initially believed.

HARSIA’s report, which had relied heavily on third-party sources including foreign experts and academic institutions, became a focal point of scrutiny after a foreign university distanced itself from sections of the analysis. As a result, HARSIA was compelled to retract or revise parts of the document, weakening public trust in its independence and credibility.

Compounding the crisis was the broader perception among the Greek public that the tragedy—and the government’s response to it—exposed deep-rooted institutional failures. The March 2023 crash near the town of Tempi, which involved a passenger train and a freight train colliding head-on, sparked widespread outrage across the country. Mass protests, student demonstrations, and strikes ensued, with citizens demanding accountability and sweeping reforms in rail safety and governance.

In his resignation letter, Papadimitriou defended HARSIA’s investigative integrity, stating that he remained committed to public service and transparency. He lamented what he described as “unjustified attacks” on the authority and suggested that political motives were undermining its work.

HARSIA, which was formed in late 2023 to replace its predecessor following the crash, had just begun its first high-profile investigation. Its future now hangs in the balance, with critics questioning whether a truly independent and thorough investigation is still possible.

The government has yet to appoint a replacement for Papadimitriou, and the fate of the investigation remains uncertain. Meanwhile, the victims’ families and the broader public continue to demand justice, fearing that a lack of accountability will only perpetuate systemic negligence in one of Europe’s most troubled rail networks.