Greek Minister Resigns After Train Collision

(Patria) - Greek Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Kostas Karamanlis resigned today, after at least 36 people were killed and more than 85 injured in a collision between two trains north of Larissa last night.

Karamanlis said he was taking responsibility for the "long-standing failures to improve the situation on the railways," adding that his resignation was his duty and "the least he could do to honor the victims."

He stated that when something so tragic happens, it is not possible to continue as if nothing happened.

- In these three and a half years, we have made every effort to improve the situation. Unfortunately, the efforts were not enough to prevent such an accident. This is also very difficult for all of us and for me personally - Karamanlis stated.

An intercity passenger train with about 350 passengers, which departed from Athens for Thessaloniki, collided during the night with a freight train moving in the opposite direction on the same track. The accident occurred near the town of Tempi, north of Larissa, in Thessaly.