Greece has been hit by one of the worst floods in its recent history, triggered by storm 'Daniel', which has left large parts of the country under water, claiming lives and leaving many missing. Greece's already fragile railway system has also been badly affected, with significant parts of the infrastructure washed away. As recovery efforts begin, the port of Piraeus may lose its rail links to Europe for an extended period, possibly up to a week or more.
After years of delays, key equipment and recently completed projects have been severely affected. Officials from the Hellenic Railways Organisation (OSE) have been on the ground in affected areas such as Domokos, Doxaras, and Paleofarsalos to assess the extent of the damage, prepare detailed reports, and seek financial assistance from the European Union. OSE teams are using drones to survey the network's state and conduct ground inspections. However, it remains uncertain when rail services will resume, particularly on critical routes such as Athens - Thessaloniki - Athens, which has been paralyzed by the disruption of rail traffic between Lianokladi and Larissa.
Repairing the extensive damage, estimated at between 35 and 45 million euros, is both a financial and logistical challenge. The devastation goes beyond the tracks and signalling, affecting costly equipment such as the European Train Control System (ETCS), which enhances rail safety.
