Greek railroad workers extend strike by 2 days in protest against train accident

ATHENS

The strike of Greek railroad workers in protest against the train accident in the northern province of Larissa, which killed at least 57 people, has been extended for two more days, the unions announced.

The three major unions representing the country's railroad workers said in a joint statement Friday that the decision was taken unanimously in the presence of workers to "call on all relevant bodies to immediately take the appropriate measures to restore safety to Greek rail transport."

"We have no more tolerance for the indifference of all the competent bodies, which have deliberately ignored our demands and warnings for years," it added.

The unions also announced a protest rally in the capital Athens on Sunday morning.

News channel 902.gr reported that various craftsmen's and other workers' unions will also participate in the rally.

On Friday, new Transport Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis announced the creation of a special committee to investigate the accident.

The committee has been instructed to complete its work as soon as possible and to seek the assistance of any technical staff, experts or others it deems necessary, according to state news agency AMNA.