Two trains collided head-on in Greece killing at least 32 people and injuring 85 late on Tuesday night, the fire brigade said, but the cause of the deadliest rail crash in Greece in decades remained unclear, APA reports citing Reuters.
An intercity passenger train travelling from Athens to the northern city of Thessaloniki collided at high speed with a cargo train outside the city of Larissa in central Greece, said the governor of the Thessaly region.
The impact caused a fire in a number of the passenger carriages, burning many commuters who were rushed to hospitals.
"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.
"We were turning over in the wagon until we fell on our sides...then there was panic, cables (everywhere) fire, the fire was immediate, as we were turning over we were being burned, fire was right and left."
*** 08:22
The number of people who died after a passenger train collided with a freight train in the Greek town of Tempe has risen to 29, according to the Greek Fire Service, APA reports.
Gruelling efforts have continued overnight under "very difficult conditions" to rescue those trapped, as one photograph from the scene showed a train laying on its side and derailed from the tracks.
A total of 86 people have been injured, with 25 of these thought to be serious. Children are among the injured.
Rail operator Hellenic Trains said 350 people were on board the intercity passenger service from Athens to Thessaloniki when it hit a freight train.
Initial reports suggest the two trains may have been travelling along the same track at high speed.
The impact of the crash is understood to have been so great that the front carriages of each train have been almost entirely 'pulverised', according local reports.
Firefighters continued to search the carriages for more victims through the night, while dozens ambulances have been used to take the injured to nearby hospitals.
Another 270 people who sustained only minor injuries or were left unharmed have been taken from the site of the collision by bus.
***07.14
The number of people who died after a passenger train collided with a freight train in the Greek town of Tempe has risen to 26, according to the Greek Fire Service, APA reports citing Teletrader.
At least 85 people were injured in the incident and 270 individuals were safely evacuated and taken to Thessaloniki on buses.
"The collision was very strong," Thessaly Governor Konstantinos Agorastos said about the crash, noting that the first two train cars were almost completely destroyed in the incident.
***06.12
At least 16 people are said to have died and dozens left injured after two trains collided in Greece, APA reports citing the Mirror.
Efforts have continued overnight to rescue those trapped, as one photograph from the scene showed a train laying on its side and derailed from the tracks.
Footage shared on social media also revealed the extent of the fire, with at least one carriage appearing to be completely engulfed by flames.
A total of 60 people had been reported injured as of 1.50am local time (11.50pm GMT), with 20 of these thought to be serious. Children are known to be among the injured.
Rail operator Hellenic Trains said 350 people were on board the intercity passenger service from Athens to Thessaloniki when it hit a freight train.
Initial reports suggest the two trains may have been travelling along the same track at high speed.
The impact of the crash is understood to have been so great that the front carriages of each train have been almost entirely 'pulverised', according local reports.
Firefighters continued to search the carriages for more victims through the night, while thirty ambulances have been used to take dozens of injured to nearby hospitals.
Another 270 people have been taken from the site of the collision by bus.
Members of the police and armed forces have joined the emergency response, and a major road located next to the crash has been closed to allow emergency vehicles access to the location.
A statement from Hellenic Trains said: "At Evangelismos there was a head-on collision between two trains: a freight train and train IC 62 which had departed from Athens to Thessaloniki."
"About 350 passengers were on board at the time of the collision. Firefighters and Hellenic Train staff rushed to the scene, participating in rescue operations and providing assistance to travelers,"
Greece's Minister of Health Thanos Pleuris is travelling to hospitals taking in victims from the crash, while the Secretary General of the Ministry of Transport Giannis Xifaras is to visit the site of the collision.
***04.13
A fire has broken out after two trains collided leaving at least six dead and dozens more injured, including children in Greece, APA reports citing the Mirror.
At least six people are said to have died and dozens left injured after two trains collided.
Witnesses in the aftermath of the crash near Tempe in Greece shortly after midnight on Wednesday described an intense fire on one of the carriages, with a large emergency response underway.
Some people are thought to have been left trapped, as one photograph from the scene showed a train laying on its side while derailed from the tracks.
Footage shared on social media also revealed the extent of the fire, with at least one carriage appearing to be completely swallowed by flames.
A total of 50 people had been reported injured as of 12.50am local time (11.50am GMT), with 20 of these thought to be serious. Children are known to be among the injured.
National newspaper Efsyn said 350 people were on board the train.
Firefighters continue to search the carriages for more victims while thirty ambulances have been used to take dozens of injured to nearby hospitals.
Members of the police and armed forces are also at the scene.
A major road located next to the crash has been closed to allow emergency vehicles access to the location.
Greece's Minister of Health Thanos Pleuris is travelling to hospitals taking in victims from the crash, while the Secretary General of the Ministry of Transport Giannis Xifaras will meanwhile visit the site of the collision.
Military hospitals in Athens and Thessaloniki have also been put on alert should they need to receive any further wounded.
Follow us on Telegram
t.me/apanewsaz
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
