Athens, 12 February 2025 (MIA) - A freight train operating from Gevgelija to Thessaloniki suffered a derailment on Tuesday near the town of Polykastro in northern Greece. According to the head of the workers union at the Hellenic Railways Organisation (OSE), the Skopje – Thessaloniki railway line will be shut down for around two months due to the damage from the derailment, MIA’s Athens correspondent reports.

Greek company Hellenic Train said the derailment occurred at 9:25 P.M. near Polykastro and added there was no danger to the safety of its crew. The company said it is working with the relevant authorities to investigate the causes of the derailment.

Nikos Tsikalakis, head of the workers union at the Hellenic Railways Organisation, told Greek media outlet Karfitsa that teams on the ground are assessing the situation, and it is possible the station near Idomeni will be closed in order to repair the damage.

“According to initial information, the damage extends to over four kilometers, so the European route from Skopje will be closed two months,” Tsikalakis said, adding that the route via Bulgaria will be used for international transport.

TV channel ERT also reported that the international railway line via Skopje is expected to remain closed for around two months, citing sources from OSE.

Photo: MIA Archive