The National Technical University of Athens' report on what caused the large explosion that followed the violent train collision at Tempi in 2023 was published on Tuesday.
The report was commissioned by the appellate examining magistrate conducting the investigation and assigned to Professor Dimitris Karonis.
Professor Karonis' expert report - 123 pages in total - is thorough and based on analyses and data from the General State Chemical Laboratory, on-site inspections, material sampling from the accident scene, international scientific data, comparisons, and evaluations.
The report unveiled that engine oils (specifically silicone oils), under the conditions of the accident, could have created a fireball, as the expert considers that this type of oil can ignite at temperatures of 330 ° C and above.
The report was submitted to the appellate investigating judge Sotiris Bakaimis and will be examined. Similar expert reports reaching the same conclusion - albeit using different methodologies - exist in the case file, submitted by technical advisors of the victims' families and the Fire Service, although there are also reports with contradictory conclusions.
