Greece train crash leaves 43 people dead

Following the catastrophic head-on collision of passenger and freight trains in the town of Tempe in northern Greece, the death toll increased to at least 43, and a railroad worker was taken into custody on Wednesday.

The Greek government designated three days of national mourning after more than 80 people were hurt.

Rail operator Hellenic Train said the passenger train was traveling from Athens to Thessaloniki, Greece's second-largest city and a popular tourist destination that describes itself as the "gateway to the Aegean Sea." The train carried more than 300 people, including many university students returning home from Carnival, a three-day national party that precedes the Christian season of Lent. 

Just before midnight on Tuesday, two trains collided head-on, causing numerous cars to derail and at least three to catch fire, according to authorities.

Hours were spent by rescue workers searching amid the debris and listening for survivors' cries. To remove the layers of twisted, burnt steel, cranes were brought in.

According to Greek Railroad Workers Union President Yannis Nitsas, eight rail workers were killed, including the two drivers of the freight train and the two drivers of the passenger train.

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