No Trains, No Planes, and Huge Protests: Strike Brings Greece to a Halt

A general strike in Greece on Friday halted trains and ferries, grounded flights and disrupted public services as thousands of workers walked off the job on the second anniversary of Greece’s worst-ever train disaster.

The 24-hour walkout, called by Greece’s two main labor unions, is the latest in a series of public protests over a dragging judicial investigation into the crash, in which 57 people were killed. There is still lingering anger in the country over the government’s failure to put any of its politicians under scrutiny over the loss of life.

Here is what to know about the strike and the enduring anger over the accident.

What does the strike entail?

The strike involves public- and private-sector workers.

Rallies were taking place in Athens and across Greece, with protesters calling for those at fault in the crash to be punished and for rail safety to be improved.

All commercial flights to and from Greek airports were grounded, and no ferries or trains were running. Limited public transportation was operating in Athens to allow demonstrators to get to the rally. Although taxi drivers joined the strike, some volunteers were offering protesters free rides to rallies.

Schools and hospitals were also affected as teachers and health care workers joined the action. Lawyers and ambulance workers walked out, too, while many shops closed. Several popular artists have canceled planned shows.