Archive image from Thessaloniki, Greece – Riot police clash with protesters during a 2016 demonstration marking the anniversary of the 1973 student uprising. Similar scenes played out in Athens this weekend (April 12, 2025) as fresh unrest erupted in the Exarchia district.
Credit: Shutterstock, Giannis Papanikos
Riots erupted in the heart of Athens over the weekend, plunging the popular British tourist district of Exarchia into chaos as petrol bombs, fireworks, and stones were hurled at a local police station in a late-night rampage. The truth behind the chaos – read on.
Exarchia, the gritty heart of Athens known for its rebellious streak, went up in flames as chaos erupted on its narrow streets. Petrol bombs, fireworks, and flying stones lit up the night sky after a group of masked rioters launched a sudden assault on the local police station. Riot cops hit back with tear gas, but the madness quickly spread. By sunrise, more than 70 arrests had been made, cars were scorched to shells, and the city was left reeling. The spark? A late-night park concert – and possibly, a protest with deeper political roots.
The violence broke out just after midnight on Saturday, April 12, when a group of around 50 individuals reportedly peeled away from a nearby music event and began attacking the Exarchia police station, according to eyewitness accounts cited by ERTNews. What began as a targeted assault soon escalated into a full-scale riot that spread through surrounding streets.
Several parked cars and motorbikes were torched, and riot police were swiftly deployed, responding with tear gas to disperse the attackers. By Sunday morning, the smoke had cleared, but not before more than 70 arrests were made, according to Greek security sources. One person sustained minor injuries.
The Exarchia district, known for its bohemian atmosphere and history of political activism, has often been a flashpoint for clashes with police. But the scale and intensity of the weekend’s violence shocked even seasoned locals.
Greek media has linked the unrest to simmering anger over a tragic train crash two years ago, which claimed 57 lives. The incident, still fresh in the national memory, has fuelled ongoing accusations against Hellenic Train – the country’s main rail operator – and the conservative government, both of whom stand accused of negligence in maintaining Greece’s crumbling railway infrastructure.
Tensions were already running high following a bomb attack on Friday at the Hellenic Train headquarters. Though no one was injured, the blast reignited public fury and may have added fuel to Saturday’s fire.
While authorities continue to investigate the precise motives behind the riot, the combination of grief, outrage, and a long-standing distrust of government institutions seems to have created a volatile cocktail in Exarchia.
Footage from the scene shows flaming wreckage and residents looking on in disbelief as sirens pierced the night. Shops and homes in the area were also damaged, adding to the devastation. Police maintained a strong presence on Sunday to prevent further flare-ups.
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