Tempi, Thessaly, Greece, March 1, 2023
Photo: greekreporter.com
At least 36 people were killed and dozens more were injured when a passenger train collided with a freight train in central Greece last night.
66 people are being treated for their injuries in the hospital, with six in the ICU, CNN reports.
Most of the passengers were young.
In the wake of the tragedy, several Orthodox primates have expressed their condolences and support, including the local primate Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens:
Honestly, I can’t find words to describe my deepest pain and my immense sadness over the tragic accident that claimed the lives of dozens of our fellow human beings, including many young people.
I wish and pray for the repose of the souls of the innocent victims and my thoughts are with their families who are mourning their untimely loss.
May the Almighty God give them strength and offer them comfort from above.
Both I and our Church are and will be by their side in these difficult times.
Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople:
His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew expresses his deepest sorrow over the tragic train accident that happened last night near Tempi, in which dozens of our fellow citizens lost their lives or were injured.
During today’s Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts at which he officiated, His All-Holiness prayed fervently that the All-Merciful God would grant rest to the souls of the victims and strengthen their families, as well as help for the speedy recovery of the injured.
He also prayed for the repose of the souls of the victims of the two fatal car accidents that happened earlier in the same area of Tempe.
The Ecumenical Patriarch contacted the President of the Hellenic Republic Mrs. Katerina Sakellaropoulou expressing to her and through her to the entire pious people of Greece his condolences and support and that of the Holy Church of Christ.
His Beatitude Hieronymos II,
Archbishop of Athens and All Greece
Your Beatitude,
We have learned with great sadness of the tragic rail collision that took place on the night of February 28 to March 1, 2023, near the city of Larissa, in central Greece, an accident that killed at least 32 people and injured 85.
In these extremely difficult moments for the families of the deceased, but also for Your Beatitude, we offer them our sincere condolences and entrust you with our complete compassion.
Also, our heart goes to the injured in the hospital, and we pray to the Merciful God for their quick recovery.
May the Saviour Jesus Christ, who rose from the dead, give rest with the righteous to the souls of those who lost their lives in this terrible accident and grant comfort and spiritual strength to the bereaved families.
With high esteem and brotherly love in Christ the Lord,
† Daniel
Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church
Patriarch Theodoros of Alexandria also sent a letter expressing his condolences to Abp. Ieronymos, assuring him of his prayers.
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