Tempi: 20-Day Hunger Strike for the Right to Know

Two and a half years after Greece’s worst rail disaster (57 dead on February 28, 2023), a victim’s father, Panos Ruci, is about 20 days into a hunger strike outside the Greek Parliament in Syntagma Square. His demand is clear: allow an exhumation with independent toxicological and histological examinations—not exhumation for identification only. (Euractiv, eKathimerini, Greek City Times)

What families asked vs. what was granted

A petition signed by 78 relatives explicitly requested toxicology and histology. Prosecutors authorized exhumations limited to DNA identification, a decision echoed in other cases (e.g., Aslanidis). Families say this denies the basic answer: how their children died. (eKathimerini, Greek Reporter, To Vima)

“Some were alive — then said they had no oxygen”

After the crash, leaked recordings of emergency calls captured passengers saying “I have no oxygen”. Families argue this supports the need for independent toxicology/histology to examine potential chemical exposure; authorities dispute claims about undeclared solvents. (The National Herald, To Vima)

Why families insist on independent experts

Requests by relatives sought exhumations with court-appointed and family-appointed experts (forensic specialists / πραγματογνώμονες, ιατροδικαστές). Judicial authorities have returned or rejected such requests on procedural grounds and kept the scope to identification only, eroding public trust. (TheTOC — extrajudicial request cites experts, Dnews — Supreme Court returns filing, eKathimerini — requests repeatedly denied)

Government & minister’s public stance

Officials emphasize the case is procedurally advanced and that prior testing requests were considered. Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis has publicly claimed the hunger strike is being “orchestrated” to delay the trial and criticized doctors monitoring the striker (these are his claims, not established findings). (Proto Thema, CNN Greece)

Public silence from the Presidency

Greece’s President is Konstantinos Tasoulas (sworn in March 13, 2025). As of October 5, 2025, no specific statement addressing the hunger strike appears on the Presidency’s site; earlier anniversary remarks about Tempi remain online. Families call this a deafening silence while a father offers his life for a fundamental right. (Presidency — President Tasoulas, eKathimerini — swearing-in)

Official investigations & reports (what they say)

The national investigation body EODASAAM released its official report in February 2025, identifying serious systemic failures and making safety recommendations. (EODASAAM report (PDF), Railway Gazette summary) Separately, independent expert Vasilis Kokotsakis has filed analyses alleging the role of hydrocarbons/solvents and possible undeclared cargo; these filings and media reports are disputed by other parties but are central to families’ concerns. (Documento — Kokotsakis supplemental report, Brussels Morning — illegal cargo possibility)

Also reported (tabloid/activist media)

Additional allegations about “illegal/unknown cargo” and the “I have no oxygen” protests have appeared in Makeleio.gr. These are widely shared but should be weighed alongside official documents and mainstream reporting. (Makeleio — “I have no oxygen” protests, Makeleio — claims about illegal chemicals)

The right to know, anchored in European human-rights law

Under Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights, states have a procedural duty to ensure an effective investigation into deaths—independent, reasonably prompt, subject to public scrutiny, and involving next of kin to safeguard their interests. (ECHR-KS: Guide to Article 2, UK Judiciary explainer)

Where the criminal case stands

Proceedings are moving toward trial, with 36 defendants referred. (eKathimerini)

Why this matters beyond Greece

Citizens’ trust in justice has been shaken by repeated refusals of toxicology/histology and the exclusion of family-nominated experts. If authorities have nothing to hide, families ask, why deny? The Tempi case will show whether next-of-kin are meaningfully involved in finding the true cause of death.

Call to action

If this matters to you, please share this article with international media (Reuters, AP, AFP, BBC, Euronews, Politico Europe, DW, France 24, NYT International), and with rights groups (Human Rights Watch, Amnesty). A father—and many other families—are asking for a credible investigation that answers how their children died.