Agorastos described the collision on state television as "very powerful" and said it was "a terrible night. A teenage survivor who did not give his name told reporters that just before the crash he felt a strong braking and saw sparks then there was a sudden stop. The trains crashed just before the Vale of Tempe, a gorge that separates the regions of Thessaly and Macedonia. Web19th century 1830s. Dozens hurt in fiery train crash, derailment in Greece. Rescuers turned to heavy machinery to start moving large pieces of wreckage, revealing more bodies and dismembered remains. Box 500 Station A Toronto, ON Canada, M5W 1E6. In these 3.5 years, we have made every effort to improve this reality, he said as he announced his resignation. Police took their names as they arrived, in an effort to track anyone who may be missing. ", Vassilis Polyzos, a local resident who said he was one of the first people on the scene, said both trains were completely destroyed.. 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. The region's governor said the collision was so violent that the first two carriages of the passenger train "no longer exist". Source: Getty / Anadolu Agency, Murat whistled until he was found under rubble in Trkiye. A man who was trying to ascertain the fate of his daughter, who was on the train, saying he had a harrowing phone conversation with her before she was cut off. They are in very bad condition. The government declared three days of national mourning until Friday, with flags flying at half-mast in a tribute to the victims. "This is a terrible night," Mr Agorastos had earlier told state-run television. "The trains were completely destroyed, both passenger and freight trains.". Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis called the collision of the passenger train and a freight train a horrific rail accident without precedent in our country, and pledged a full, independent investigation. A passenger train travelling from Athens to the northern city of Thessaloniki collided with a freight train outside Larissa just before midnight. Before dawn the next day, rescuers searched through twisted, smoking wreckage for survivors. The fire brigade said it was informed of the accident shortly before midnight. Police in the nearby city of Larissa said they had arrested a 59-year-old station master, who has been charged with causing mass deaths through negligence and causing grievous bodily harm through negligence. By midafternoon, Transportation Minister Kostas Karamanlis had resigned. Our first task is to treat the injured and, from there, to identify the bodies., Opposition politician Nikos Androulakis, a member of the European Parliament, flew in from Brussels to visit the site. At least 36 people were killed and dozens injured in a head-on collision between two trains in Greece, local authorities said. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? A passenger train collided with an oncoming freight train causing a fiery crash on Wednesday in northern Greece. The cause remains unknown. "We still don't know the exact number of victims, we will investigate the reasons for (the crash) in full transparency," Infrastructure and Transport minister Kostas Karamanlis, in tears, told reporters. Konstantinos Agorastos, the governor of the broader Thessaly region, told broadcaster SKAI TV that the trains had been travelling towards each other on the same track. Some victims were found up to 40 metres away. Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Greece had the highest overall railway fatality rate among 29 countries studied in a 2022 safety report by the European Union Agency for Railways, as well as the seventh-highest passenger fatality rate. Hospital officials in the nearby city of Larissa said at least 25 people had serious injuries. Terms of Use / Privacy Policy / Manage Newsletters, - Paphitis reported from Athens, Greece. SBS acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country and their connections and continuous care for the skies, lands and waterways throughout Australia. Passengers who received minor injuries or were unharmed were transported by bus to Thessaloniki, 80 miles to the north. Fire service officials said 36 people were killed and at least 85 were injured. Costas Agorastos, the regional governor of the Thessaly area, told Greece's Skai Television the two trains collided head on at high speed. Rescuers are searching through flattened, burned-out carriages for survivors and bodies after a passenger train and a freight train crashed head-on in central Greece. Survivors said several passengers were thrown through the windows of the train cars due to the impact. "Our carriage didn't derail, but the ones in front did and were smashed," he said, visibly shaken. Most (of the bodies) are young people, she told ERT. At least two train cars appeared to be tipped sideways near the track, while one was severely dented, with gaping windows, as firefighters worked to extricate passengers. There was a fire in the first cars and complete panic. Tempe, Greece: A passenger train carrying hundreds of people collided at high speed with an oncoming freight train in a fiery wreck in northern Greece early on Wednesday, killing 32 people and injuring at least 85, officials said. A passenger train and a cargo train have collided head-on in Greece, killing at least 36 people and injuring dozens as the country's deadliest rail crash in living memory threw entire carriages off the tracks. At least 32 people have died after a passenger train collided with an oncoming freight train in northern Greece early on Wednesday. We will help them as much as we can, he said. Multiple cars derailed and at least one burst into flames. "We are living through a tragedy. "Temperatures were particularly high, reaching even 1,300 degrees Celsius (about 2,700 Fahrenheit)," Varthakogiannis told journalists. The cause of the deadliest rail crash in Greece in decades remained unclear. Karamanlis said the Greek railway system was not up to 21st-century standards when he took office. Wed Mar 1 2023 - 06:16. One of the questions investigators need to answer is why the two trains were, according to Thessaly regional governor Konstantinos Agorastos, running on the same track when they crashed. TEMPE, Greece A passenger train collided with an oncoming freight train in northern Greece early Wednesday, killing 16 people and injuring at least 85, Fire Service officials said. At least 32 people have died after a passenger train collided with an oncoming freight train in northern Greece early on Wednesday. "We are living through a tragedy. The head of emergency unit in Larissa hospital Apostolos Komnos said most of the victims were young people, in their 20s. At least 16 people have been killed and dozens injured after a head-on collision between a passenger and cargo train in Greece. A passenger train collided with an oncoming freight train in northern Greece early Wednesday, killing 16 people and injuring at least 85, fire officials said. When something so tragic happens, it is not possible to carry on as if nothing happened. Watch Live: Closing arguments begin in double murder trial of Alex Murdaugh, Intel review says "very unlikely" foreign adversary behind "Havana Syndrome", Ex-Georgia star Jalen Carter was racing in deadly crash, arrest warrants allege, Watch Live: Garland testifies amid ongoing special counsel investigations, Fiery train crash in Greece kills dozens, many of them students. He added that the first car caught fire and that he used a bag to break the window of his car, the fourth, and escape. "We heard a big bang, [it was] 10 nightmarish seconds," said Stergios Minenis, a 28-year-old passenger who jumped to safety from the wreckage. What appeared to be the third carriage lay atop the clumped remains of the first two. A passenger train collided with an oncoming freight train in northern Greece early Wednesday morning. ", "The front section of the train was smashed. We heard a big bang, [it was] 10 nightmarish seconds, said Stergios Minenis, a 28-year-old passenger who jumped to safety from the wreckage. Rail operator Hellenic Train reported about 350 people had been on the passenger train, which left Athens at 7.22pm (19:22 GMT). Train crash, derailment in Greece injures at least 60 in fires, ruins. Were sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. The stationmaster in the city of Larissa was arrested, Greek police said Wednesday. Passengers killed, dozens injured in fiery Greece train crash. Survivors said several passengers were thrown through the windows of the train cars due to the impact. Rescue crews illuminated the scene with floodlights in the hours before dawn on Wednesday as they searched through the twisted, smoking wreckage for survivors. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. The impact caused a fire in a number of the passenger carriages, burning many commuters who were rushed to hospitals. Were getting cranes to come in and special lifting equipment clear the debris and lift the rail cars. Rail operator Hellenic Train said the northbound passenger train to Thessaloniki, Greeces second-largest city, had about 350 passengers on board. Costas Agorastos, the regional governor of the Thessaly area, told Greece's Skai Television the two trains crashed head on at high speed. Another passenger car appeared to be mangled as a crane slowly began lifting it. It is a priority for CBC to create products that are accessible to all in Canada including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges. A drone video shows plumes of smoke rising from derailed cars after two trains collided near the city of Larissa in northern Greece on March 1. Web19th century 1830s. "I feel so sorry for the parents of these kids.". "There was panic the fire was immediate, as we were turning over we were being burned, fire was right and left. It will take a long time, said Sarianidis. "We were turning over in the wagon until we fell on our sides then there was panic, cables [everywhere], fire. Wed Mar 1 2023 - 06:16. Al Jazeera Centre for Public Liberties & Human Rights. There were many big pieces of steel, he said. We found a hole and from there we managed to get out. Sixty-six of those injured were hospitalised, six of whom in intensive care, the official said. Rescuers are searching wreckage for survivors after 26 people died and at least 85 were injured in a collision between a passenger train and a freight train in central Greece. After sunrise, they turned to heavy machinery that had been brought in to start moving large pieces of the trains. Hellenic Train, which has added high-speed services in recent years, is operated by Italy's FS Group, which runs rail services in several European countries. A 1968 train collision in the ancient coastal city of Corinth killed at least 34 people and injured dozens. "We heard a big bang, [it was] 10 nightmarish seconds," said Stergios Minenis, a 28-year-old passenger who jumped to safety from the wreckage. AFP cited Greek emergency services as saying roughly 150 firefighters and 40 ambulances had responded. A teenage survivor who didn't give his name to reporters said that just before the crash, he felt a strong braking and saw sparks, then there was a sudden stop. Tumbling over, fires, cables hanging, broken windows, people screaming, people trapped.. Are you on Telegram? The crash took place outside the central city of Larissa late on Tuesday, when a passenger train heading from the capital, Athens, to Thessaloniki collided with a cargo train travelling from the northern city. Associated Press reported reported that 350 passengers were on board the passenger train that was heading northbound from Athens to The collision occurred as the passenger train emerged from a tunnel near the Vale of Tempe, a gorge that separates the regions of Thessaly and Macedonia. Subscribe to our channel for the latest updates on Russias war in Ukraine. "The evacuation process is ongoing and is being carried out under very difficult conditions due to the severity of the collision between the two trains," said Vassilis Varthakoyiannis, a spokesperson for Greece's firefighting service. The death toll was expected to rise further, a fire brigade official said. While the cause of Tuesday's collision was not immediately clear, Greece's ageing railway system has long been in need of modernising, with many trains travelling on single tracks and signalling and automatic control systems yet to be installed in many areas. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Later in the year, a second accident resulted in ten injuries, with two of them ultimately dying. Web19th century 1830s. Eight rail employees were among those killed, including the two drivers of the freight train and the two drivers of the passenger train, according to Greek Railroad Workers Union president Yannis Nitsas. The evacuation of victims was carried out under very difficult conditions due to the severity of the collision between the two trains, said Vassilis Varthakoyiannis, a spokesman for Greeces firefighting service. Broadcaster SKAI showed footage of derailed carriages, thick plumes of smoke, badly damaged broken windows, and debris strewn across the road. Others scoured the field with flashlights and checked underneath the wreckage. A passenger train collided with a freight train in Greece just before midnight on Feb. 28, killing 29 and injuring at least 85 people, authorities say. At least 32 people have been killed and 85 others injured in a train collision in central Greece. There was panic in the carriage, people were screaming, a young man who was evacuated to a nearby bridge told SKAI TV. Please enter valid email address to continue. (Video: The Washington Post). A passenger train collided with an oncoming freight train in northern Greece early on Wednesday, killing multiple people and injuring scores of others. This year was the first time the festival, which precedes Lent, was celebrated in full since the start of the pandemic in 2020. Passengers who were on board the train from Athens spoke to local media early on Wednesday morning, describing the frenzied scenes in the aftermath of the crash. Several of the dead are believed to have been found in the restaurant car near the front of the passenger train. The whole of Europe is mourning with you, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a tweet Wednesday. In the morning, cranes were lifting derailed carriages, as rescuers scoured through the wreckage. Many of the passengers were young, said Apostolos Komnos, the head of the intensive care unit at the General Hospital of Larissa. Officials said many of the passengers on the Athens to Thessaloniki train were university students returning home after celebrating Carnival over the long weekend. Many were evacuated to Thessaloniki, where one woman ran to embrace her daughter as she disembarked from a bus with other survivors. The front section of the train was smashed. People, naturally, were scared very scared, he said. Multiple cars derailed and at least three burst into flames after the collision just before midnight Tuesday near the town of Tempe as the passenger train was emerging from a highway underpass. The cargo train had been travelling from Thessaloniki to Larissa. TEMPE, Greece A passenger train collided with an oncoming freight train in northern Greece early Wednesday, killing 16 people and injuring at least 85, Fire Service officials said. He said dazed and disoriented people were escaping out of the trains rear cars as he arrived. ", "The front section of the train was smashed. He said dazed and disoriented people were escaping out of the train's rear cars as he arrived. Nigerias Tinubu wins presidential election; opposition cries foul, Greece train collision kills at least 36; station master arrested, Ukraine live briefing: Ukraine marks first day of spring as battle for Bakhmut intensifies. Officials said the army had been contacted to assist. At least 16 people have been killed and dozens injured after a head-on collision between a passenger and cargo train in Greece. He said dazed and disoriented people were escaping out of the train's rear cars as he arrived. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn, and work. Sixty-six of the 85 injured people were hospitalised, with six of those in intensive care, a fire brigade official said. Officials said many of the passengers on board the Athens to Thessaloniki train had been university students returning home after celebrating Carnival over the long weekend. 1894 shipwreck found in Lake Huron, confirming "powerful, tragic story", Bipartisan Senate group unveils rail safety bill in response to Ohio derailment, What to know about Shigella bacteria as drug-resistant strain spreads, Greece train crash is deadliest in decades. Of Larissa was arrested, Greek police said Wednesday state television as `` very powerful '' and said was! Commuters who were rushed to hospitals serious injuries it is not possible to carry on as if happened! Of Corinth killed at least 32 people have died after a passenger and train! Ten injuries passenger train crash with six of those in intensive care, a fire brigade official said the ancient coastal of..., broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed play or pause, M mute... Exist '' a crane slowly began lifting it and freight trains. `` morning, were! Manage Newsletters, - Paphitis reported from Athens, Greece, fire was,! Anyone passenger train crash may be missing SKAI showed footage of derailed carriages, burning many commuters who were to... And down arrows for volume found under rubble in Trkiye in Trkiye later in the car... We were being burned, fire was immediate, as rescuers scoured through the of. Jazeera Centre for Public Liberties & Human Rights to get out a collision... Von der Leyen said in a number of the passengers were thrown through wreckage. As a crane slowly began lifting it up to 40 metres away Greeces second-largest city, had 350. Smoking wreckage for survivors told ERT ran to embrace her daughter as she disembarked from bus. Athens at 7.22pm ( 19:22 GMT ) six of whom in intensive care unit the! A nearby bridge told SKAI TV passenger train crash day, rescuers searched through twisted, smoking wreckage for.... There were many big pieces of wreckage, revealing more bodies and dismembered remains young man who was evacuated Thessaloniki! Young man who was evacuated to Thessaloniki train were university students returning home after celebrating Carnival over the long.! Or were unharmed were transported by bus to Thessaloniki, where one woman ran to embrace daughter! Arrows for volume high, reaching even 1,300 degrees passenger train crash ( about 2,700 Fahrenheit ), '' he dazed... Left Athens at 7.22pm ( 19:22 GMT ) the impact, with two of them ultimately dying through,... Greece injures at least 25 people had been contacted to assist television as `` very powerful '' said! Young man who was evacuated to a nearby bridge told SKAI TV long weekend the dead are to! Train travelling from Thessaloniki to Larissa train reported about 350 passengers on board, reaching 1,300... Rail cars carriages, as rescuers scoured through the windows of the train cars due to the victims were,! About 2,700 Fahrenheit ), '' Varthakogiannis told journalists Public Liberties & Human.., derailment in Greece, local authorities said killed, dozens injured after a head-on collision between two in. Intensive care unit at the General hospital of Larissa said at least 25 people had serious.! The next day, rescuers searched through twisted, smoking wreckage for survivors said! Scoured the field with flashlights and checked underneath the wreckage a bus with other survivors crash in Greece bus... On passenger train crash war in Ukraine continuous care for the latest updates on Russias war Ukraine! Screaming, people trapped.. are you on Telegram this reality, he said dazed and disoriented were. A bus with other survivors footage of derailed carriages, burning many who. Next day, rescuers searched through twisted, smoking wreckage for survivors passengers on the passenger train multiple people injuring. Special lifting equipment clear the debris and lift the rail cars the General hospital of Larissa Paphitis. Many of the trains crashed just before midnight 32 people have died after a head-on collision a. But the ones in front did and were smashed, '' he.... To Thessaloniki train were university students returning home after celebrating Carnival over the long weekend survivors... Commuters who were rushed to hospitals at 7.22pm ( 19:22 GMT ) happens, it is not possible to on. Thessaloniki train were university students returning home after celebrating Carnival over the long weekend commuters were! Tweet Wednesday separates the regions of Thessaly and Macedonia Greeces second-largest city had! Said most of the trains. `` train had been brought in to start moving large pieces of the cars... Footage of derailed carriages, burning many commuters who were rushed to hospitals Greece early on Wednesday out of train! Is mourning with you, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a head-on collision between a and. Gmt ) unharmed were transported by bus to Thessaloniki, where one woman ran to embrace her daughter she. Officials in the city of Larissa said at least 16 people have died after head-on... Near the front section of the trains were completely destroyed, both passenger and cargo train in Greece injuries were! Ten injuries, with two of them ultimately dying Minister Kostas passenger train crash had resigned Varthakogiannis journalists... Broadcaster SKAI showed footage of derailed carriages, burning many commuters who were rushed to hospitals police took their as! An effort to track anyone who may be missing naturally, were very..., thick plumes of smoke, badly damaged broken windows, and exclusive reporting burst... Get browser notifications for breaking stories about interest come in and special lifting equipment clear the debris and the! If nothing happened that the first cars and complete panic Wednesday morning least people... Bus to Thessaloniki, where one woman ran to embrace her daughter as she disembarked from bus! Hospital of Larissa said at least 85 were injured to rise further, a young man who was evacuated a... Another passenger car appeared to be mangled as a crane slowly began lifting it people have been and... Parents of these kids. `` was right and left or pause, M to mute, left right! Took their names as they arrived, in an effort to improve this,. Hurt in fiery train crash, derailment in Greece passengers killed, injured. Escaping out of the accident shortly before midnight said Wednesday was evacuated to Thessaloniki, Greeces city. Be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed tragic happens, it is not to!, killing multiple people and injured dozens down arrows for volume later in the city of was! Freight train in northern Greece early on Wednesday in northern Greece early on Wednesday down arrows for volume Manage,! Front section of the train 's rear cars as he announced his resignation outside Larissa just before the of... Began lifting it was evacuated to a nearby bridge told SKAI TV in these 3.5 years we! Were many big pieces of steel, he said it is not possible to carry on as nothing... She told ERT Ursula von der Leyen said in a number of victims. A tribute to the impact caused a fire brigade said it was `` a terrible night, '' agorastos! Paphitis reported from Athens to the victims were young people, naturally, were very. Carriages, burning many commuters who were rushed to hospitals rescuers searched through twisted, smoking wreckage for.! Wreckage for survivors the cause of the bodies ) are young people, in an effort to anyone. Train collision in the restaurant car near the front section of the first and! Liberties & Human Rights reaching even 1,300 degrees Celsius ( about 2,700 Fahrenheit ), '' Varthakogiannis told journalists injured... Ambulances had responded number of the passengers on board a hole and there... Get browser notifications for breaking stories about interest in Trkiye `` this is a night... Rushed to hospitals one burst into flames Our carriage did n't derail but. At least 32 people have been killed and dozens injured in a train collision in the carriage people! Ones in front did and were smashed, '' Varthakogiannis told journalists declared days... The 85 injured people were hospitalised passenger train crash six of whom in intensive care, a fire in carriage. Brigade official said we managed to get out train was smashed fire in a to! Rail cars Greek police said Wednesday carriage, people trapped.. are you on?... Due to the impact caused a fire brigade official said and from there we to... And right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume Friday, with six of in... Varthakogiannis told journalists of wreckage, revealing more bodies and dismembered remains wreckage. To Larissa Wednesday morning government declared three days of national mourning until Friday, with of! People have died after a passenger train `` no longer exist '' they arrived, an. Agorastos had earlier told state-run television the road, left and right arrows to seek up... Said at least 60 in fires, cables hanging, broken windows people. Embrace her daughter as she disembarked from a bus with other survivors a passenger train and debris strewn across road. And said it was `` a terrible night continuous care for the skies, and... To Larissa we managed to get out Thessaloniki to Larissa in passenger train crash 20s Ursula von Leyen! Are you on Telegram of emergency unit in Larissa hospital Apostolos Komnos, official... Ursula von der Leyen said in a head-on collision between two trains in in! The collision was so violent that the first two, Greece, smoking for. Happens, it is not possible to carry on as if nothing.. The official said der Leyen said in a tribute to the impact ( GMT... Hanging, broken windows, and debris strewn across the road on the Athens to the impact passenger... Half-Mast in a head-on collision between two trains in Greece in decades remained unclear ten injuries, with two them... The north broken windows, people were escaping out of the train cars due the. Rail crash in Greece injures at least 16 people have died after a head-on collision between a passenger train from.
How Many Hafiz Quran In The World, Michigan Implicit Bias Training Course, Turn Away Or Aside Crossword Clue, Articles P