Tempe Train Disaster: Seats Failed Fire Safety Standards

The seats aboard Intercity 62—the passenger train involved in the fatal Tempe rail disaster—did not meet current European fire-resistance standards, according to a newly published technical report by Greece’s independent safety authority, EODASAAAM. The investigation, conducted by German rail testing laboratory RST, revealed that seat samples from the Hellenic Train carriage failed the EN 45545 standard for Maximum Average Heat Release Rate (MAHRE). Crucially, significant material inconsistencies were found across seats: the older ‘B4 OLD’ sample included a dark brown fire-protection interlayer and performed best, while the newer ‘B2 COUPE’ lacked any distinct fire barrier and scored worst. The ‘B4 NEW’ sample featured only a thin white fibrous layer—ineffective for fire resistance. All seats should have conformed uniformly to original procurement specifications; instead, their inconsistent performance indicates irregular quality control and maintenance practices. EODASAAAM has issued four urgent safety recommendations to Hellenic Train, the Rail Administration (RAS), and OSE.