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Public Emotions and the Affective Forces of Social Activism, Vol. 32 - 2025, No. 2
“No Oxygen No Justice”: The Politics of Collective Mourning and the Moral Shock of the Tempi Train Crash in Greece
The Tempi train crash of 28 February 2023, the deadliest railway disaster in Greece's history, prompted a large-scale wave of protests, initiated by student and trade unions, as well as grassroots collectives, with extensive participation from first-time protesters. The tragedy eroded public trust in key institutions and triggered debate on safety, government accountability, and privatisation, exposing systemic failures in Greece's railway infrastructure. Drawing on a nationwide survey of 634 participants aged 17–34, commissioned by the Eteron Institute and conducted by Aboutpeople in April 2023, this study examines the emotional and political responses of young people, with a particular focus on the March 2023 protests. The findings are analysed through the concepts of “moral shock” and “political mourning,” highlighting how grief was expressed and politically articulated through collective action that challenged depoliticisation narratives designed to evade broader accountability. The article further situates the March 2023 mobilisations within the broader justice campaign led by victims' families, tracing its evolution towards the largest public mobilisations to date, held on the second anniversary of the Tempi disaster— a pivotal moment in the ongoing pursuit of justice and prevention of what is widely perceived as an attempt to cover up the crime.
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