Metro tunnel collapse in Kypseli sparks dispute over contractor responsibility
A tunnel boring machine used for Metro Line 4 caused ground subsidence in Kypseli, damaging dozens of buildings and prompting a halt to work while officials blame each other.
Excavation for the Metro Line 4 tunnel in the Kypseli district caused unexpected ground movements that compromised the foundations of 18 out of 24 surrounding apartment buildings, producing flooding and structural damage. The contractor consortium ABAX-GHELLA-ALSTOM and Greek Metro have traded blame, with the consortium citing complex geology and the Metro asserting the contractor ignored known risks. After residents organized and the Athens municipality backed their concerns, a judicial intervention forced a suspension of the tunnel boring machine.
The under-ground work was stopped weeks before the public announcement, and officials have since called for extensive geotechnical reassessments, building inspections, and updated monitoring. The dispute highlights broader issues of project oversight and accountability in large infrastructure projects.
Why it matters
The incident reveals serious safety and accountability gaps in a major public transport project affecting thousands of residents.
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