Tens of thousands of people gathered in Athens to commemorate the second anniversary of the railway accident that killed the 57.
Greek riot police deployed tear gas and stun grenades to disperse a small group of protesters throwing Molotov cocktails and stones.
Protesters have claimed the government is involved in covering up the evidence, slowing the investigation into the crash.
What do you know about the protest?
Police say more than 170,000 people attended the protests in Athens, with a total of around 325,000 people appearing on streets across the country.
A total of 5,000 police officers are deployed in the capital.
Police said between 500 and 700 people were involved in the riot. Police have arrested more than 80 individuals.
The riots also broke out in Greece’s second-largest population, Thessaloniki.
A Greek ambulance said nine people were taken to hospital, including a photographer who had hit the head by the stun grenade.
Strike and shop closure accompany demonstrations
In addition to the protest, private unions launched a 24-hour general strike, paralyzing public transport and causing government offices and schools to close.
Shops and businesses across the country have also been closed for several hours.
Gsee, the largest private sector union, said it was called “so that the rule of law can be finally implemented, so that there is no cover-up, and the person responsible is punished.”
What was the disaster on the Tempe Railway?
Protesters on Friday celebrated the second anniversary of the Tempe Railway disaster, when a passenger train from Athens to Thessaloniki collided with a freight train.
Fifty-seven people, including many students, were killed in the crash, and many more were injured.
The two trains traveled miles towards each other without triggering alarms.
Polls show that between 70 and 80% of Greeks believe the government is involved in covering up evidence suggesting inadequate security measures.
An expert report funded by the victim’s family alleges that the freight train was carrying illegal, unreported explosive chemicals. Greek train operators denied knowledge of illegal freight on trains.
The government has denied allegations of cover-up, and Prime Minister Kiriakos Mitotakis has rejected the call for resignation, accusing critics of trying to “destabilize” the country.
The Greek opposition will call a vote of no confidence next week.
Editor: Rana Taha
