Chants of "The crime in Tempi will not be covered up, we are the voice of the dead" and "Tears have dried, turning into rage—the new generation will not forgive you" echoed through Eleftheria Square in Nicosia on Friday, as thousands of demonstrators gathered to demand justice for the 57 victims of the Tempi train crash, which occurred exactly two years ago. Among the victims were two young Cypriots, Kyprianos Papaioannou and Anastasia Adamidou.

Student and youth organizations, along with citizens of all ages, carried banners and chanted "I have no oxygen, we have no life—this system is responsible for murder" and "They talk about profits and losses, we talk about human lives." Protesters held placards reading "I have no oxygen" and "Justice for the children we lost."

The demonstration in Eleftheria Square opened with a speech by Giorgos Miaris, representing the Victims' Relatives Group. He emphasized that society demands transparency and pointed out that the official report released on Thursday confirmed families' concerns. He called for justice to be served and for those responsible not to go unpunished.

A message from Maria Karystianou, the mother of one of the victims, was also read. "As time passes, our pain has turned into anger," she said, stressing that today, "an entire nation is mobilizing for justice." She described the fight as one for the "moral cleansing of a whole nation", warning those responsible that "you committed the greatest offense, and justice will be served."

Members of Kyprianos Papaioannou’s family were also present in Nicosia. His father, Father Christodoulos Papaioannou, led a memorial service for the victims. As the names of the 57 deceased were read aloud, the crowd responded with applause and visible emotion.

In a packed Eleftheria Square, Father Christodoulos stated that human justice must reflect divine justice. "These children celebrate their heavenly birthdays today," he said, adding that his prayers include not only the 57 victims but also Konstantinos Chrysagis, the OSE traffic director, and Kostas Prassas, the stationmaster, both of whom died in traffic accidents before they could testify in court. He also mentioned the death of Vasilis Kalogiros, the son of the Larissa prosecutor handling the case, calling his passing shocking and full of unanswered questions.

Father Christodoulos insisted that true justice must be served, saying, "The unprecedented mobilization of people proves that our society has realized it must take matters into its own hands." He criticized efforts to close the case quickly, revealing that when he requested to see his son’s body, he was told there were "orders from above" not to allow families to view the victims. He recounted how, despite being advised not to, he opened the casket halfway home. "It brought me peace. It was my Kyprianos, bruised but whole," he said.

Father Christodoulos stressed that "the Tempi tragedy must be a turning point for systemic change." He demanded an independent and thorough investigation and called for the urgent restoration of railway signaling and control systems to ensure passenger safety and demanded full transparency regarding EU funds allocated for railway maintenance over the past 20 years. "Reforms must be made so we can trust justice again," he concluded.

The event ended with a song written by Eleni Makri, a close friend of Kyprianos, followed by statements from the Cyprus Students' Coordinating Committee (PSEM) and the University of Cyprus Student Union (FEPAN). PSEM President Georgia Grigoriou called for "justice without omissions or cover-ups," while FEPAN President Ephraim Christou received widespread applause for demanding that "the Greek government do its duty—or resign."

Demonstrations also took place in Larnaca, Paphos, and Limassol, where crowds honored the victims. In Larnaca’s Europe Square, hundreds gathered with banners reading "It wasn’t an accident, it was murder", "We demand justice—no more cover-ups", and "We are their voice." The atmosphere was deeply emotional, with many young people seen crying during the event.

Larnaca’s protesters joined thousands across Greece, Cyprus, and abroad in demanding justice, while a speech by Maria Karystianou—originally delivered at the Athens rally—was also read. The event included poetry readings, including a piece in the Cypriot dialect, and a performance of the song "Bring Me Drums", written by Maria Christodoulou.

In Paphos' 28th October Square, hundreds gathered, lighting 57 candles in memory of the victims. Their banners read: "Justice for the lost children of Tempi," "57 souls demand justice," and "No cover-ups—reveal the truth." Parents, students, and citizens of all ages participated, expressing their anger, sorrow, and frustration at the lack of accountability.

"For two years, the public has followed this tragedy with deep concern. We demand answers and justice," said protester Sophia Hambiaouridou, adding, "It is unbearable to think that 57 lives were lost, and still, no one has been held responsible."

Another protester, George Kounas, urged people to "leave their sofas and take to the streets," while Fani Charalambidou said the protests aimed to "bring justice and offer some comfort to grieving families."

"The pain and anger over these lost lives touch all of society," added Loukia Christodoulou, calling for public awakening and action.

The protests ended with poetry readings, songs, and the recitation of all 57 victims’ names, with the crowd responding "present" after each one.