Widespread strikes in Greece halted trains, ferries and much of the capital’s public transport in protests timed to coincide with the first anniversary of the country’s deadliest rail crash, which killed 57 peopleATHENS, Greece -- Widespread strikes in Greece halted trains, ferries and much of the capital's public transport on Wednesday in protests timed to coincide with the first anniversary of the country's deadliest rail crash, which killed 57 people. Wednesday’s strike disrupted public transport in the capital, Athens, and left ferries tied up in ports as unions pressed demands to further dismantle wage controls imposed during Greece's near decade-long financial crisis. At the scene of the rail crash in Tempi, central Greece, relatives of the victims gathered for a memorial service as churches across the country tolled their bells 57 times Wednesday morning to honor the dead. Protest organizers disputed government assurances that rail safety had been comprehensively overhauled in the past 12 months. “Our thoughts are with families, who have every right to turn their pain into protest.”___Kantouris reported from Thessaloniki, Greece.

Source: ABC News February 28, 2024 17:21 UTC