What Fuel Burned Our Children? The Tempi Tragedy and the Systemic Cover-Up

By Maria Karystianou, from the central square of Kavala

“Let the Prime Minister explain why the crime scene was bulldozed with cranes. Let him tell us what fuel burned our children alive. Why was the order given to bury the site while at least one passenger was still missing and unaccounted for? Why did the Ministry of Citizen Protection and the Fire Service refuse to deploy the corpse-detection dog unit? That same team, under intense pressure from us, searched Koulouri and found 208 bone fragments — nine months later. Imagine what they would have found if they had gone immediately, while the site was still preserved. They could have found everyone. And we would have been able to bury everything that remained of our loved ones.”

1. Bulldozing the Crime Scene: Destruction Before Investigation

Only days after the fatal train collision in Tempi on February 28, 2023, cranes and bulldozers were deployed to “clear” the site. Satellite and drone footage confirm the area was leveled within a week. No forensic preservation was maintained. Human remains, personal belongings, and structural evidence were likely lost forever.

Source: Documento – Φορτηγά αντιφάσεων για το μπάζωμα

2. What Kind of Fuel Caused the Inferno?

Survivors reported a massive fireball and acrid smoke immediately after the collision — a reaction far more intense than what diesel or electrical systems alone would cause. Independent analyses support their claims:

• The General State Chemical Laboratory detected the industrial solvent xylene (ξυλόλιο) in soil and wagon surfaces near the crash site. Concentrations reached up to 0.35 mg/kg, according to their March 2023 report.
• Samples were also contaminated with silicone oils, which are heat-reactive and can exacerbate fire behavior under high temperatures.
• A parallel study by the National Technical University of Athens confirmed that the observed blaze was consistent with ignition involving both xylene and silicone oil — not just standard fuel combustion.

These findings suggest the Tempi fire was not a typical train crash blaze, but one fueled by chemical accelerants — substances often associated with industrial or military logistics.

Source: Καθημερινή – Το Χημείο του Κράτους

3. Burial of the Site Despite Missing Persons

On March 4, just four days after the tragedy, orders were given to cover the area with dirt and concrete. At that point, the full count of passengers was unclear, and DNA analysis was ongoing. Yet the area was sealed and dumped with construction material.

4. Denial of Dog Unit and the Bones Found Nine Months Later

Families of the victims repeatedly requested the deployment of specially trained cadaver dog units in the immediate aftermath. Their request was denied. Nine months later, following media pressure, the team was finally allowed to search a peripheral area — Koulouri — and discovered 208 bone fragments.

5. Political Protection and Judicial Paralysis

The Minister of Transport resigned, but no high-ranking official or company executive has been formally charged with criminal negligence. The judiciary appeared slow, selective, and unwilling to challenge state authorities. Prosecutors who pushed for deeper investigations were reportedly sidelined.

Sources:

• Documento – Μήνυση κατά Μπακαΐμη για απόπειρα παραποίησης καταθέσεων
• Εφ.Συν – Είναι έγκλημα, φώναξαν μαθητές

Conclusion: A Systemic Cover-Up?

Mrs. Karystianou’s testimony is not just emotional — it is factual. Every point she raised is supported by public data, suppressed reports, or actions taken (or not taken) by the authorities. The tragedy at Tempi is not just a case of human error. It’s a case of deliberate suppression, manipulation of justice, and possibly — systemic criminal negligence.

Attached Media:

• 🎥 Full video of Maria Karystianou’s speech:

This article is part of a wider investigation hosted on welcomekimberly.com, exposing how political power manipulates justice in Greece.