Greece: An explosion occurred in central Athens, near the offices of Hellenic Train, the Greek railway company, has caused alarm but no reported injuries. CCTV footage captured the moment the blast tore through a backpack reportedly left outside the office building.
Police confirmed that anonymous warning calls were made to local media ahead of the incident, which took place near Leoforos Andrea Siggrou — one of the capital’s most dynamic thoroughfares. Authorities have classified the event as a ‘criminal act’ that endangered public safety.
Greek Transport Minister Christos Staikouras strongly condemned the attack. Christos Staikouras stated that, “This is a criminal act, which endangered the lives of people, employees, and passers-by in a central point of Athens and during peak traffic hour.” He emphasised that ‘nothing justifies terrorism’ and called for judicial action.
Local media outlets which received the warning calls, reported that the explosive device had been placed in a padlocked backpack left on a licence plate–less scooter. Police bomb disposal units arrived but were unable to neutralise the device before it detonated.
Forensic officers were later seen examining the blast site, gathering evidence from the surrounding area. Hellenic Train confirmed that no staff members or civilians were harmed and described the damage as ‘limited.’ The company also issued a statement condemning all forms of violence, warning that such actions ‘fuel a climate of toxicity that undermines all progress.’
While no group has claimed responsibility, the incident comes with lingering public anger over a deadly train crash in 2023, in which 57 people, most of them students, were killed.
That tragedy, caused by human error and systemic failures, initiated nationwide protests that have occasionally turned violent. Authorities have not yet linked the explosion to any specific group or motive. Investigations are ongoing.
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