One dead and dozens injured in train collision in Russia

A passenger train en route from Murmansk to St. Petersburg collided with a freight train on Wednesday

A woman died and at least 17 people, including three minors, were injured after a passenger train collided with a freight train in Russia’s Murmansk Region on Wednesday, RIA Novosti has reported, citing the country’s Health Ministry. 

The double-decker passenger train, which was carrying 326 passengers, was travelling from Murmansk to St. Petersburg when the incident occurred at Knyazhaya station at around 16:15 local time (13:15 GMT). Four carriages of the passenger train derailed. 

Three people are in serious condition, 13 have already been taken to hospitals and are undergoing examinations, and four more are in the process of being transported to hospitals by ambulance crews, an aide to the Russian minister of health told reporters. 

The Russian Railways’ official Telegram channel confirmed that a woman died while being transported to the hospital.  

According to preliminary data, cited by media outlets, brake failure on the freight train caused it to roll down a hill and crash into the passenger train. 

According to the Murmansk Region’s Emergency Situations Ministry, the train continued its journey with some of the passengers in the eight undamaged carriages. Railway workers have started work to restore traffic through the Knyazhaya station, the ministry stated. 

The Investigative Committee has opened a criminal case into the incident. The freight train driver was reportedly detained.