Old video footage of Greek demonstrations has resurfaced online, falsely claiming to depict a nationwide paralysis of airports, ports, factories, and trains in September 2026. According to Euronews, the widely shared clips actually originate from major protests held across Greece in February 2025, which marked the second anniversary of the tragic Tempi train disaster.
Origins of the Resurfaced Footage
The videos circulating on social media show dense crowds gathered in the Greek city of Thessaloniki. However, Euronews reports that these exact recordings were published online in February 2025 during widespread demonstrations commemorating the railway collision near Tempi in Central Greece. The February 2023 disaster involved a fatal crash between a passenger train and a freight train, resulting in 57 deaths and igniting national demands for improved railway safety.
Those 2025 memorial actions involved a general strike that disrupted air travel, train networks, and ferry services. Hundreds of thousands of protesters took to the streets across more than 300 cities in Greece and abroad, seeking accountability for the 57 victims. Euronews confirms that these archived clips bear no connection to any new general strike occurring in September 2026.
Ongoing Legal Proceedings Over the Tempi Disaster
The Tempi railway tragedy remains a deeply sensitive issue throughout Greece. Euronews notes that an ongoing criminal trial commenced in March in Larissa, featuring 36 defendants, including a station master and representatives of railway services. Victims’ family members continue pressing for answers, with several relatives actively providing testimony in court.
Current September 2026 Demonstrations in Thessaloniki
While the viral videos misrepresent current events, actual protests did take place in Thessaloniki in September 2026. Euronews states that thousands of citizens gathered in Greece’s second-largest city to protest the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, demanding higher wages and increased pensions. Labor unions and various organizations backed these demonstrations, which coincided with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis delivering his annual economic address.
Police estimates cited by the Associated Press indicate that more than 25,000 individuals participated in the Thessaloniki demonstrations. Nevertheless, this recent economic protest is entirely separate from the archived footage recorded during the 2025 transit strikes.
Keep reading