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A bomb strikes near the Athens offices of the Greek railway company. No injuries reported

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A bomb strikes near the Athens offices of the Greek railway company. No injuries reported
News

News

A bomb strikes near the Athens offices of the Greek railway company. No injuries reported

2025-04-12 15:50 Last Updated At:16:00

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — A bomb planted near the offices of Hellenic Train, Greece's main railway company, exploded Friday night in a busy district of central Athens, authorities said. There were no reports of injuries.

The explosion comes amid widespread public anger over a 2023 railway disaster, Greece’s worst, in which 57 people were killed and dozens more injured when a freight train and a passenger train heading in opposite directions were accidentally put on the same track.

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The logo of Hellenic Train, Greece's main railway company, is seen outside company's headquarters, following a bomb explosion Friday night causing causing limited damage but no injuries, in Athens, Greece, on Saturday, April 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis)

The logo of Hellenic Train, Greece's main railway company, is seen outside company's headquarters, following a bomb explosion Friday night causing causing limited damage but no injuries, in Athens, Greece, on Saturday, April 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis)

A municipal worker cleans the area outside Hellenic Train headquarters, Greece's main railway company, following a bomb explosion Friday night causing causing limited damage but no injuries, in Athens, Greece, on Saturday, April 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis)

A municipal worker cleans the area outside Hellenic Train headquarters, Greece's main railway company, following a bomb explosion Friday night causing causing limited damage but no injuries, in Athens, Greece, on Saturday, April 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis)

A municipal worker cleans the area outside Hellenic Train headquarters, Greece's main railway company, following a bomb explosion Friday night causing causing limited damage but no injuries, in Athens, Greece, on Saturday, April 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis)

A municipal worker cleans the area outside Hellenic Train headquarters, Greece's main railway company, following a bomb explosion Friday night causing causing limited damage but no injuries, in Athens, Greece, on Saturday, April 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis)

A municipal worker cleans the area outside Hellenic Train headquarters, Greece's main railway company, following a bomb explosion Friday night causing causing limited damage but no injuries, in Athens, Greece, on Saturday, April 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis)

A municipal worker cleans the area outside Hellenic Train headquarters, Greece's main railway company, following a bomb explosion Friday night causing causing limited damage but no injuries, in Athens, Greece, on Saturday, April 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis)

The logo of Hellenic Train, Greece's main railway company, is seen outside company's headquarters, following a bomb explosion Friday night causing causing limited damage but no injuries, in Athens, Greece, on Saturday, April 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis)

The logo of Hellenic Train, Greece's main railway company, is seen outside company's headquarters, following a bomb explosion Friday night causing causing limited damage but no injuries, in Athens, Greece, on Saturday, April 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis)

Police officers from the forensics department check the area after a bomb explosion outside of the Hellenic Train offices the company that runs Greece's railway, in Athens, Greece, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Police officers from the forensics department check the area after a bomb explosion outside of the Hellenic Train offices the company that runs Greece's railway, in Athens, Greece, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Police officers from the forensics department check the area after a bomb explosion outside of the Hellenic Train offices the company that runs Greece's railway, in Athens, Greece, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Police officers from the forensics department check the area after a bomb explosion outside of the Hellenic Train offices the company that runs Greece's railway, in Athens, Greece, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Police investigators wearing coveralls inspect the site after a bomb explosion outside of the Hellenic Train offices the company that runs Greece's railway, the first building on the left, in Athens, Greece, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Police investigators wearing coveralls inspect the site after a bomb explosion outside of the Hellenic Train offices the company that runs Greece's railway, the first building on the left, in Athens, Greece, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Police investigators wearing coveralls inspect the site after a bomb explosion outside of the Hellenic Train offices the company that runs Greece's railway, the first building on the left, in Athens, Greece, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Police investigators wearing coveralls inspect the site after a bomb explosion outside of the Hellenic Train offices the company that runs Greece's railway, the first building on the left, in Athens, Greece, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Police investigators wearing coveralls inspect the site after a bomb explosion outside of the Hellenic Train offices the company that runs Greece's railway, in Athens, Greece, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Police investigators wearing coveralls inspect the site after a bomb explosion outside of the Hellenic Train offices the company that runs Greece's railway, in Athens, Greece, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Police investigators wearing coveralls inspect the site after a bomb explosion outside of the Hellenic Train offices the company that runs Greece's railway, the building on the left, in Athens, Greece, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Police investigators wearing coveralls inspect the site after a bomb explosion outside of the Hellenic Train offices the company that runs Greece's railway, the building on the left, in Athens, Greece, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Police officers from the forensics department check the area after a bomb explosion outside of the Hellenic Train offices the company that runs Greece's railway, in Athens, Greece, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Police officers from the forensics department check the area after a bomb explosion outside of the Hellenic Train offices the company that runs Greece's railway, in Athens, Greece, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Police investigators wearing coveralls inspect the site after a bomb explosion outside of the Hellenic Train offices the company that runs Greece's railway, the first building on the left, in Athens, Greece, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Police investigators wearing coveralls inspect the site after a bomb explosion outside of the Hellenic Train offices the company that runs Greece's railway, the first building on the left, in Athens, Greece, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Police officers from the forensics department check the area after a bomb explosion outside of the Hellenic Train offices the company that runs Greece's railway, in Athens, Greece, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Police officers from the forensics department check the area after a bomb explosion outside of the Hellenic Train offices the company that runs Greece's railway, in Athens, Greece, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

A policeman guards an area after a suspected bomb explosion outside of Hellenic Train offices the company that runs Greece's railway, the third building on the left, in Athens, Greece, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Derek Gatopoulos)

A policeman guards an area after a suspected bomb explosion outside of Hellenic Train offices the company that runs Greece's railway, the third building on the left, in Athens, Greece, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Derek Gatopoulos)

Policemen close the road after a suspected bomb explosion outside of the Hellenic Train offices the company that runs Greece's railway, the second building on the right, in Athens, Greece, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Policemen close the road after a suspected bomb explosion outside of the Hellenic Train offices the company that runs Greece's railway, the second building on the right, in Athens, Greece, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Policemen close the road after a suspected bomb explosion outside of the Hellenic Train offices the company that runs Greece's railway, the second building on the right, in Athens, Greece, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Policemen close the road after a suspected bomb explosion outside of the Hellenic Train offices the company that runs Greece's railway, the second building on the right, in Athens, Greece, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Local media said a newspaper and a news website had received an anonymous call shortly before Friday’s blast, with the caller warning that a bomb had been planted outside the railway company offices and would explode within about 40 minutes.

In a statement, Hellenic Train said the explosion had occurred “very close to its central offices” and said the blast had caused limited damage and no injuries to any employees or passers-by.

It said authorities had acted immediately upon receiving information about the warning call, and that the company was cooperating fully with authorities and ensuring the safety of its staff.

Police cordoned off the site along a major avenue in the Greek capital, keeping residents and tourists away from the building in an area with several bars and restaurants. Officers at the scene said a bag containing an explosive device had been placed near the Hellenic Train building on Syngrou Avenue.

Police forensics experts wearing white coveralls were collecting evidence at the scene.

Criticism over the government’s handling of the Feb. 28, 2023 collision at Tempe in northern Greece has mounted over the last few weeks in the wake of the second anniversary of the disaster, which killed mostly young people who had been returning to university classes after a public holiday.

The crash exposed severe deficiencies in Greece’s railway system, including in safety systems, and has triggered mass protests - led by relatives of the victims - against the country’s conservative government. Critics accused authorities of failing to take political responsibility for the disaster or holding senior officials accountable.

So far, only rail officials have been charged with any crimes. Several protests in recent weeks have turned violent, with demonstrators clashing with police.

Earlier Friday, a heated debate in Parliament on the rail crash led to lawmakers voting to refer a former Cabinet minister to judicial authorities to be investigated over alleged violation of duty over his handling of the immediate aftermath of the accident.

Hellenic Train said it “unreservedly condemns every form of violence and tension which are triggering a climate of toxicity that is undermining all progress.”

Greece has a long history of politically-motivated violence dating back to the 1970s, with domestic extremist groups carrying out small-scale bombings which usually cause damage but rarely lead to injuries.

While the groups most active in the 1980s and 1990s have been dismantled, new small groups have emerged. Last year, a man believed to have been trying to assemble a bomb was killed when the explosive device he was making exploded in a central Athens apartment. A woman inside the apartment was severely injured. The blast had prompted Minister of Citizen Protection Michalis Chrisochoidis to warn of an emerging new generation of domestic extremists.

The logo of Hellenic Train, Greece's main railway company, is seen outside company's headquarters, following a bomb explosion Friday night causing causing limited damage but no injuries, in Athens, Greece, on Saturday, April 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis)

The logo of Hellenic Train, Greece's main railway company, is seen outside company's headquarters, following a bomb explosion Friday night causing causing limited damage but no injuries, in Athens, Greece, on Saturday, April 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis)

A municipal worker cleans the area outside Hellenic Train headquarters, Greece's main railway company, following a bomb explosion Friday night causing causing limited damage but no injuries, in Athens, Greece, on Saturday, April 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis)

A municipal worker cleans the area outside Hellenic Train headquarters, Greece's main railway company, following a bomb explosion Friday night causing causing limited damage but no injuries, in Athens, Greece, on Saturday, April 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis)

A municipal worker cleans the area outside Hellenic Train headquarters, Greece's main railway company, following a bomb explosion Friday night causing causing limited damage but no injuries, in Athens, Greece, on Saturday, April 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis)

A municipal worker cleans the area outside Hellenic Train headquarters, Greece's main railway company, following a bomb explosion Friday night causing causing limited damage but no injuries, in Athens, Greece, on Saturday, April 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis)

A municipal worker cleans the area outside Hellenic Train headquarters, Greece's main railway company, following a bomb explosion Friday night causing causing limited damage but no injuries, in Athens, Greece, on Saturday, April 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis)

A municipal worker cleans the area outside Hellenic Train headquarters, Greece's main railway company, following a bomb explosion Friday night causing causing limited damage but no injuries, in Athens, Greece, on Saturday, April 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis)

The logo of Hellenic Train, Greece's main railway company, is seen outside company's headquarters, following a bomb explosion Friday night causing causing limited damage but no injuries, in Athens, Greece, on Saturday, April 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis)

The logo of Hellenic Train, Greece's main railway company, is seen outside company's headquarters, following a bomb explosion Friday night causing causing limited damage but no injuries, in Athens, Greece, on Saturday, April 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis)

Police officers from the forensics department check the area after a bomb explosion outside of the Hellenic Train offices the company that runs Greece's railway, in Athens, Greece, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Police officers from the forensics department check the area after a bomb explosion outside of the Hellenic Train offices the company that runs Greece's railway, in Athens, Greece, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Police officers from the forensics department check the area after a bomb explosion outside of the Hellenic Train offices the company that runs Greece's railway, in Athens, Greece, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Police officers from the forensics department check the area after a bomb explosion outside of the Hellenic Train offices the company that runs Greece's railway, in Athens, Greece, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Police investigators wearing coveralls inspect the site after a bomb explosion outside of the Hellenic Train offices the company that runs Greece's railway, the first building on the left, in Athens, Greece, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Police investigators wearing coveralls inspect the site after a bomb explosion outside of the Hellenic Train offices the company that runs Greece's railway, the first building on the left, in Athens, Greece, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Police investigators wearing coveralls inspect the site after a bomb explosion outside of the Hellenic Train offices the company that runs Greece's railway, the first building on the left, in Athens, Greece, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Police investigators wearing coveralls inspect the site after a bomb explosion outside of the Hellenic Train offices the company that runs Greece's railway, the first building on the left, in Athens, Greece, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Police investigators wearing coveralls inspect the site after a bomb explosion outside of the Hellenic Train offices the company that runs Greece's railway, in Athens, Greece, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Police investigators wearing coveralls inspect the site after a bomb explosion outside of the Hellenic Train offices the company that runs Greece's railway, in Athens, Greece, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Police investigators wearing coveralls inspect the site after a bomb explosion outside of the Hellenic Train offices the company that runs Greece's railway, the building on the left, in Athens, Greece, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Police investigators wearing coveralls inspect the site after a bomb explosion outside of the Hellenic Train offices the company that runs Greece's railway, the building on the left, in Athens, Greece, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Police officers from the forensics department check the area after a bomb explosion outside of the Hellenic Train offices the company that runs Greece's railway, in Athens, Greece, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Police officers from the forensics department check the area after a bomb explosion outside of the Hellenic Train offices the company that runs Greece's railway, in Athens, Greece, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Police investigators wearing coveralls inspect the site after a bomb explosion outside of the Hellenic Train offices the company that runs Greece's railway, the first building on the left, in Athens, Greece, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Police investigators wearing coveralls inspect the site after a bomb explosion outside of the Hellenic Train offices the company that runs Greece's railway, the first building on the left, in Athens, Greece, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Police officers from the forensics department check the area after a bomb explosion outside of the Hellenic Train offices the company that runs Greece's railway, in Athens, Greece, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Police officers from the forensics department check the area after a bomb explosion outside of the Hellenic Train offices the company that runs Greece's railway, in Athens, Greece, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

A policeman guards an area after a suspected bomb explosion outside of Hellenic Train offices the company that runs Greece's railway, the third building on the left, in Athens, Greece, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Derek Gatopoulos)

A policeman guards an area after a suspected bomb explosion outside of Hellenic Train offices the company that runs Greece's railway, the third building on the left, in Athens, Greece, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Derek Gatopoulos)

Policemen close the road after a suspected bomb explosion outside of the Hellenic Train offices the company that runs Greece's railway, the second building on the right, in Athens, Greece, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Policemen close the road after a suspected bomb explosion outside of the Hellenic Train offices the company that runs Greece's railway, the second building on the right, in Athens, Greece, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Policemen close the road after a suspected bomb explosion outside of the Hellenic Train offices the company that runs Greece's railway, the second building on the right, in Athens, Greece, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Policemen close the road after a suspected bomb explosion outside of the Hellenic Train offices the company that runs Greece's railway, the second building on the right, in Athens, Greece, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

A Ukrainian drone strike killed one person and wounded three others in the Russian city of Voronezh, local officials said Sunday.

A young woman died overnight in a hospital intensive care unit after debris from a drone fell on a house during the attack on Saturday, regional Gov. Alexander Gusev said on Telegram.

Three other people were wounded and more than 10 apartment buildings, private houses and a high school were damaged, he said, adding that air defenses shot down 17 drones over Voronezh. The city is home to just over 1 million people and lies some 250 kilometers (155 miles) from the Ukrainian border.

The attack came the day after Russia bombarded Ukraine with hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles overnight into Friday, killing at least four people in the capital Kyiv, according to Ukrainian officials.

For only the second time in the nearly four-year war, Russia used a powerful new hypersonic missile that struck western Ukraine in a clear warning to Kyiv and NATO.

The intense barrage and the launch of the nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile followed reports of major progress in talks between Ukraine and its allies on how to defend the country from further aggression by Moscow if a U.S.-led peace deal is struck.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Saturday in his nightly address that Ukrainian negotiators “continue to communicate with the American side.”

Chief negotiator Rustem Umerov was in contact with U.S. partners Saturday, he said.

Separately, Ukraine’s General Staff said Russia targeted Ukraine with 154 drones overnight into Sunday and 125 were shot down.

Follow the AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

This photo provided by the Ukrainian Security Service on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, shows a fragment believed to be a part of a Russian Oreshnik intermediate range hypersonic ballistic missile that hit the Lviv region. (Ukrainian Security Service via AP)

This photo provided by the Ukrainian Security Service on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, shows a fragment believed to be a part of a Russian Oreshnik intermediate range hypersonic ballistic missile that hit the Lviv region. (Ukrainian Security Service via AP)

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, second left, listens to British Defense Secretary John Healey during their meeting in Kyiv, Ukraine, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Danylo Antoniuk)

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, second left, listens to British Defense Secretary John Healey during their meeting in Kyiv, Ukraine, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Danylo Antoniuk)

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