POLICE and protesters clashed in Greece today during mass demonstrations to mark the second anniversary of a devastating train crash that killed 57 people and left dozens injured.

Police fired volleys of tear gas and stun grenades and used water cannon to clear crowds, one confrontation occurring in front of Hadrian’s Arch, an ancient Roman monument.

Protesters hurled petrol bombs and smashed-up paving stones.

Authorities said that at least 41 people were arrested and 20 received medical attention during the violence outside parliament and through nearby streets. 

Hundreds of thousands of people joined rallies across Greece to demand justice for those killed and injured on February 28 2023 when a passenger train collided head-on with a freight train in Tempe. 

The protests have been fuelled by public resentment against the right-wing government’s perceived inaction over the incident.

Unions called a general strike in support of the mass mobilisation led by the victims’ relatives.

Critics say that politicians should be held accountable for failures that led up to the collision, but so far only rail officials have been charged with any crimes.

“The full truth must come to light and those responsible, no matter how high their position, must be held accountable,” said Yannis Panagopoulos, president of the General Confederation of Greek Workers, the country’s largest trade union.

Flights and rail services were cancelled, ferries halted and public transport across the country was severely disrupted.

Private businesses and public services have also been affected, with many stores in Athens closed, leaving messages of solidarity for the victims’ families in front windows.

Demonstrations were taking place in more than 300 cities and towns in Greece and abroad. 

Memorial services were held at Orthodox churches in Athens for the victims, who included many university students returning from a long weekend.

A long-awaited report on the investigation into the crash, released on Thursday, blamed human error, outdated infrastructure and major systemic failures for the head-on collision.