Greece Tactical: Student protest concert marking second anniversary of Tempi train collision to be held at Syntagma Square in Athens at 19:00 (local time) on March 13; avoid nonessential travel

Mar 2025

10:32 UTC

Current Situation

A student concert is scheduled at Syntagma Square in Athens at 19:00 (local time) on March 13.
The event, organized under the theme “A song for the children lost on trains… We will reach the finish! Either their profits or our lives.”, commemorates the second anniversary of the 2023 Tempi train collision.
The concert is organized by Athens Student Associations as part of the ongoing protest actions against the government, demanding accountability for Tempi. It will include performances by multiple artists.

Source: 902.gr

Assessments & Forecast

Based on precedent, the March 13 concert at Syntagma Square in Athens is likely to attract turnouts ranging from the low tens of thousands to low hundreds of thousands.
As the event has been organized as part of the ongoing Tempi protests, the potential for demonstrations at or near Syntagma Square is elevated. Furthermore, as the event has gained traction on far-left platforms, the participation of far-left activists and anarchist groups is highly likely, raising the risk of unrest.
Incidents of unrest are likely to manifest in the form of clashes between potential protesters and the police. Radical far-left groups may throw projectiles, including Molotov cocktails, smoke bombs, and glass bottles, at security forces. There is also an elevated risk of vandalism targeting nearby property. Such violence carries the risk of causing injuries to bystanders, as seen in previous protests, including the attack on a protester at Syntagma Square after being mistaken for a police officer as per March 7 reports.
Additionally, given the nature of the event, the threat of stampedes and crowd surges is likely to be elevated in the event of any protest actions. The dense gathering of attendees, combined with potential moments of panic or abrupt dispersal due to clashes, tear gas deployment, or firecrackers, increases the risk of crushing injuries. Moreover, a rapid escalation of unrest could lead to blocked escape routes, trapping individuals in confined areas. Protesters attempting to flee clashes with riot police may inadvertently cause a surge, worsening the risk of trampling incidents.
Beyond the risk of stampedes, other threats include the latent threat of pickpocketing and petty crime are likely to persist given large crowds provide cover for opportunistic criminals engaging in theft.
Given this, a bolstered security presence is expected to be deployed near Syntagma Square as a precautionary measure. Authorities are also likely to keep riot police on standby and will respond with forcible crowd control measures, such as the use of batons, tear gas, and mass arrests, in the event of escalating unrest.
Significant disruptions to vehicular and pedestrian movement, including road closures, are anticipated near Syntagma Square and other key areas of Athens during the event.

Recommendations

Those operating or residing in Athens on March 13 are advised to avoid nonessential travel near Syntagma Square due to the high risk of unrest.
Allot for associated travel disruptions near the protest location and surrounding areas.
Businesses near Syntagma Square should implement contingency plans for potential unrest-related disruptions.
Avoid engaging with or filming individuals involved in acts of unrest to prevent potential confrontations.
Refrain from wearing attire that could be mistaken for law enforcement or government-affiliated personnel to avoid targeted aggression.
Monitor local media and official announcements for real-time updates on security measures and road closures.

Low

Athens, Greece

High

Credible

Current Situation

A student concert is scheduled at Syntagma Square in Athens at 19:00 (local time) on March 13.
The event, organized under the theme “A song for the children lost on trains… We will reach the finish! Either their profits or our lives.”, commemorates the second anniversary of the 2023 Tempi train collision.
The concert is organized by Athens Student Associations as part of the ongoing protest actions against the government, demanding accountability for Tempi. It will include performances by multiple artists.

Source: 902.gr

Assessments & Forecast

Based on precedent, the March 13 concert at Syntagma Square in Athens is likely to attract turnouts ranging from the low tens of thousands to low hundreds of thousands.
As the event has been organized as part of the ongoing Tempi protests, the potential for demonstrations at or near Syntagma Square is elevated. Furthermore, as the event has gained traction on far-left platforms, the participation of far-left activists and anarchist groups is highly likely, raising the risk of unrest.
Incidents of unrest are likely to manifest in the form of clashes between potential protesters and the police. Radical far-left groups may throw projectiles, including Molotov cocktails, smoke bombs, and glass bottles, at security forces. There is also an elevated risk of vandalism targeting nearby property. Such violence carries the risk of causing injuries to bystanders, as seen in previous protests, including the attack on a protester at Syntagma Square after being mistaken for a police officer as per March 7 reports.
Additionally, given the nature of the event, the threat of stampedes and crowd surges is likely to be elevated in the event of any protest actions. The dense gathering of attendees, combined with potential moments of panic or abrupt dispersal due to clashes, tear gas deployment, or firecrackers, increases the risk of crushing injuries. Moreover, a rapid escalation of unrest could lead to blocked escape routes, trapping individuals in confined areas. Protesters attempting to flee clashes with riot police may inadvertently cause a surge, worsening the risk of trampling incidents.
Beyond the risk of stampedes, other threats include the latent threat of pickpocketing and petty crime are likely to persist given large crowds provide cover for opportunistic criminals engaging in theft.
Given this, a bolstered security presence is expected to be deployed near Syntagma Square as a precautionary measure. Authorities are also likely to keep riot police on standby and will respond with forcible crowd control measures, such as the use of batons, tear gas, and mass arrests, in the event of escalating unrest.
Significant disruptions to vehicular and pedestrian movement, including road closures, are anticipated near Syntagma Square and other key areas of Athens during the event.

Recommendations

Those operating or residing in Athens on March 13 are advised to avoid nonessential travel near Syntagma Square due to the high risk of unrest.
Allot for associated travel disruptions near the protest location and surrounding areas.
Businesses near Syntagma Square should implement contingency plans for potential unrest-related disruptions.
Avoid engaging with or filming individuals involved in acts of unrest to prevent potential confrontations.
Refrain from wearing attire that could be mistaken for law enforcement or government-affiliated personnel to avoid targeted aggression.
Monitor local media and official announcements for real-time updates on security measures and road closures.

Low

Athens, Greece

High

Credible

Greece Tactical: Student protest concert marking second anniversary of Tempi train collision to be held at Syntagma Square in Athens at 19:00 (local time) on March 13; avoid nonessential travel

Current Situation

Assessments & Forecast

Recommendations

Current Situation

Assessments & Forecast

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