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 railway 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 are planned for Athens and across Greece as well in other cities in Europe, 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 will be grounded, and no ferries or trains will run. Limited public transportation will operate in Athens to allow demonstrators to get to the rally. Although taxi drivers are joining the strike, some volunteers will be offering protesters free rides to rallies.
Schools and hospitals will also be affected as teachers and health care workers join the action. Lawyers and ambulance workers planned to walk out, too, while many shops are expected to close. Several popular artists have canceled planned shows.
