Audio released of driver being told to ignore red light in Greece

• A train driver was instructed to disregard a red signal.
• Late on Thursday, the crash’s dead toll reached 57.
• Leading to anger in Greece over lax rail safety.

Officials revealed recordings in which a train driver involved in one of the country’s deadliest train accidents in recent years was instructed to disregard a red signal, adding to the anger in Greece over lax rail safety.

After a passenger train carrying more than 350 people and a freight train collided head-on on Tuesday evening in Tempi, close to the city of Larissa, protesters descended onto the streets.

Late on Thursday, the crash’s dead toll reached 57.

A rail employees’ union is going on strike, accusing the government of “disrespect” in the industry, and protesters and police engaged in physical altercations in the nation’s capital, Athens.

The country’s transport minister also resigned in the wake of the catastrophe.

As a result of the collision, which left overturned carriages and burned wreckage in its path, 48 additional patients are still in the hospital.

According to national broadcaster ERT, six of the injured who are being treated are in critical condition as a result of brain injuries and severe burns.

Greek authorities on Thursday made shocking dispatch tapes, which show one of the train drivers being told to disregard a red signal, public after a Larissa train station manager was detained in relation to the collision.

“Proceed through red traffic light exit until traffic light entry of Neon Poron,” the station master is heard saying.

“Vasilis, am I good to go?” the train driver responds, to which the train master says “Go, go.”

In a second conversation, the station master can be heard ordering an employee to keep one of the trains on the same track.

“Shall I turn it now?” the employee asks.

“No, no, because 1564 is on this route,” the station master says.

The station master is accused of causing severe bodily harm and multiple mass deaths through negligence.

He initially claimed that the collision was the result of a technical error, but he later acknowledged “making a mistake.”

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