Russia: Over 100 injured as train collides with truck and derails

More than 100 people were injured when a train carrying more than 800 passengers collided with a truck and derailed in Russia on Monday, officials said.

A train traveling from Kazan, the capital of Tatarstan (Volga) of the Russian Republic, to the Black Sea resort of Adler collided with a truck on the railway tracks in the Volgograd region (southwest), the Russian intelligence agency said.

“Nine wagons derailed, seven of which overturned. According to initial estimates, more than 100 people were injured,” the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry said in a telegram.

In a video broadcast by Russian online media, partially mangled red and gray carriages were seen overturned on the train tracks, with passengers escaping through windows and fire engines on the side.

The Emergencies Ministry said the incident took place 4 km from Kotelnikovo station. About 324 rescuers and 109 vehicles were sent to the spot, the same source said.

According to Russian Railways (RZD), there were 803 passengers on the train, 140 of whom suffered injuries and bruises. 16 people, including a child, have been hospitalized, he said in a press release.

Despite an audible warning that the driver of the truck had “grossly violated road safety rules”, he entered the railway tracks “in front of the nearest train”.

“The train driver applied emergency braking but could not avoid the collision due to short distance,” he added.

According to the Russian Investigative Committee, an investigation into violations of traffic safety and operational rules has been opened.