Greek unions launch general strike over rail disaster

Protestors hold banners during a 24-hours general strike in central Athens, on Thursday, March 16, 2023. Strikes by labor unions in Greece following a rail disaster last month have disrupted public transport and extensively disrupted services, with protests in cities across Greece planned later Thursday. (AP Photo/Michael Varaklas)

A general strike in Greece called in response to a rail disaster last month has grounded flights and extensively disrupted services as large protests were held in cities across the country.

The strike also kept ferries to the Greek islands in port, left hospitals running with emergency staff, halted public transport services and led to class cancellations at state-run schools.