Athens, Apr. 13, (dpa/GNA) – A group calling itself the Revolutionary Class Self-Defence has claimed responsibility for a bomb attack targeting the offices of Greece’s railway operator Hellenic Train in central Athens.

A letter claiming responsibility was posted Sunday on an anarchist-affiliated website. The anti-terrorism unit of the Greek police has taken over the investigation, state broadcaster ERTNews reported.

The device detonated Friday evening outside the entrance to the railway company’s building. Police evacuated the premises following an anonymous warning call, and no injuries were reported. The blast caused significant damage to the building’s facade.

Anger over deadly 2022 train crash

Hellenic Train and Greece’s conservative government have faced sustained criticism following a deadly train crash in 2022 that killed 57 people in central Greece. An intercity passenger train collided head-on with a freight train, leading to accusations of safety failures. Investigations into the crash are ongoing.

Relatives of victims and opposition parties have accused authorities and the company of chronic neglect of the rail network — criticism echoed in the militant group’s latest statement.

History of similar attacks

The same group claimed responsibility for a February 2024 bomb attack on the Greek Labour Ministry, which also caused only property damage.

Left-wing groups have carried out sporadic attacks in Greece for decades, often describing themselves as urban guerrilla fighters. They aim to topple the state and retaliate against what they describe as systemic social injustice.

GNA

PDC