How Greek protests over a train crash sparked a wave of misinformation

Understanding the Protests in Greece: A Case of Misinformation

In recent weeks, Greece has witnessed widespread protests that have been misunderstood by many due to a coordinated disinformation campaign. A video that went viral on social media platforms falsely claimed to show Greeks protesting against the influx of irregular migrants and refugees. However, upon closer examination, it was revealed that the protests were actually related to a tragic event in the country’s history.

On February 28, 2023, Greece experienced a devastating rail disaster in the municipality of Tempi, where two trains collided head-on, resulting in the loss of 57 lives, most of whom were young students. This incident shocked the nation and led to widespread outrage and demands for accountability. Two years later, the families of the victims are still seeking justice as no trial has been conducted, and many questions remain unanswered.

The protests that took place on February 28, 2024, were a culmination of the public’s frustration with the government’s handling of the investigation into the rail disaster. Demonstrations were held in several cities across Greece, with thousands gathering in Syntagma Square in Athens. The protests were accompanied by a 24-hour strike in both public and private sectors, bringing many services and businesses to a halt. The scale of the protest was significant, with tens of thousands of people participating, and banners such as "Government of murderers" reflecting the depth of public anger.

The false narrative that the protests were anti-migrant in nature appears to be part of a deliberate disinformation campaign. A misleading video was widely circulated on social media platforms, falsely attributing the protests to concerns over migration. This video was viewed over 1.2 million times on X and was amplified by bot-like accounts. The content was spread in multiple languages, including English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, and Polish, indicating a coordinated effort to manipulate public perception.

The inaccurate claims about the protests being anti-migrant were contradicted by official data from the UN’s International Organisation for Migration (IOM), which reported that only 40 migrants and refugees arrived in Greece during the week of the protests. This starkly contrasts with the false assertion that over 500 migrants arrive daily. The origin of the misinformation is linked to accounts known for spreading falsehoods, such as ‘Radio Europe,’ which claimed the protests were a "massive riot" demanding the resignation of the government.

The underlying cause of the protests was the public’s dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the 2023 rail disaster. A report released just before the protests highlighted human error, outdated infrastructure, and systemic failures as the primary causes of the crash. However, families of the victims and opposition figures have accused the government of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis of mishandling the investigation and failing to implement promised reforms. This has led to growing suspicions of a possible cover-up, with public opinion polls indicating that a significant majority of Greeks believe the government is shielding those responsible.

The aftermath of the rail disaster has raised serious questions about transparency and accountability. The crash site was reportedly cleared shortly after the accident, fueling speculation that critical evidence was destroyed. Furthermore, videos from the incident suggest that flammable substances carried by one of the trains may have contributed to the severity of the fire, which caused additional fatalities. A forensic investigator hired by the victims’ families has claimed that 30 of the 57 victims initially survived the crash but succumbed to injuries caused by the fire. The Greek parliament has established an inquiry committee to investigate whether a former Deputy Minister obstructed the initial investigation by ordering the disposal of debris and tampering with the crash site.

In conclusion, the protests in Greece were not about migrants but were a response to the government’s failure to address the tragic rail disaster and ensure justice for the victims. The spread of misinformation about the protests highlights the challenges of verifying information in the digital age and underscores the need for responsible reporting and media literacy.