Trains collide in Greece, killing dozens and injuring more

A A passenger train collided with a freight train in Greece on Tuesday, killing at least 29 people and injuring at least 85.

Smoke could be seen rising into the air from the derailed train carriages as hundreds of rescuers tried to save lives at the scene. The passenger train was said to be carrying about 350 passengers when it hit the freight train.

GOP Lawmaker SUGGESTS Top US General MARK MILLEY ‘COMMISSIONS’ ON CHINA

Smoke rises from trains as firefighters and rescuers operate after a collision near the city of Larissa, Greece, early Wednesday, March 1, 2023. The collision between a train of goods and a passenger train occurred near Tempe, about 380 kilometers (235 mi) north of Athens, derailing several train cars. (AP Photo/Vaggelis Kousioras)

Vaggelis Kousioras/AP

The crash happened near the small town of Tempe, about 235 miles north of Athens, the country’s capital and largest city. The train traveled from there to Thessaloniki, the second largest city in Greece. Many of the injured with serious injuries were taken to hospital in the nearby city of Larissa, and officials said there were at least 25.

“It was 10 seconds of a nightmare with fire, you couldn’t see much of the smoke,” a passenger told Greek public broadcaster ERT. “We just heard a thump… the carriage (of the train) started to spin, before ending up on its side as we managed to get out,” said another.

Smoke rises from trains after a collision near the city of Larissa, Greece, early Wednesday, March 1, 2023. The collision between a freight train and a passenger train occurred near Tempe, about 380 kilometers (235 miles) north of Athens, derailing several train cars. (AP Photo/Vaggelis Kousioras)

Vaggelis Kousioras/AP

Survivors said they saw several passengers thrown out of the train’s windows on impact and saw others struggling to free themselves from debris after the train crashed into a field next to the tracks, according to the Associated Press .

The cause of the accident has not yet been identified and although two railway officers have been questioned by the police, they have not been arrested. The news outlet said the passenger train was part of Hellenic Train, which is operated by Italy’s FS Group, which runs rail services in several European countries and has added high-speed services in recent years.

Source link