"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. Copyright 2023 Deseret News Publishing Company. A train carrying 350 passengers was traveling north from Athens to Thessaloniki when it ran headlong into a freight train traveling from Thessaloniki near the city of Larissa, CNN reported. A passenger train collided with an oncoming freight train in northern Greece early Wednesday morning. "We were turning over in the wagon until we fell on our sides then there was panic, cables [everywhere], fire. Later in the year, a second accident resulted in ten injuries, with two of them ultimately dying. Two rail officials were being questioned by police but had not been detained as of Wednesday morning. Copyright 2023 The Washington Times, LLC. A derailed passenger train is seen following a collision with a cargo train in the Tempe valley near Larissa, Greece, March 1, 2023. Our carriage didnt derail, but the ones in front did and were smashed, he said, visibly shaken. What appeared to be the passenger train's third carriage lay atop the crumpled remains of the first two, where emergency crews were directing their focus. The possible cause of the collision was not immediately clear. Rescuer Lazaros Sarianidis told ERT that crews were very carefully trying to disentangle steel, sheet metal and other material that was twisted together by the crash. Greece sold railway operator TRAINOSE to Italy's Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane in 2017 as part of its international bailout program, expecting hundreds of millions to be invested in rail infrastructure in the coming years. Several of the dead are believed to have been found in the restaurant car near the front of the passenger train. Many of the passengers would have been returning home after a long holiday weekend marking the beginning of Greek Orthodox lent. TikTok announced it was banning dangerous tanning content so why didn't it. Several of the dead are believed to have been found in the restaurant area near the front of the passenger train. "There's debris flung all over the crash site.". "It was like an earthquake," Angelos Tsiamouras, another passenger, told state broadcaster ERT. Opinion: We are in a new cold war. Greece train crash: Dozens killed in head-on rail collision north of Athens, A crane, firefighters and rescuers operate after a collision in Tempe near Larissa city, Greece. Greek police said the manager of the train station in the central city of Larissa was arrested Wednesday in connection with the head-on collision. A passenger train and a freight train collided in northern Greece, killing at least 32 people and injuring 85 others as plumes of smoke filled the night sky. Unfortunately, I have to interrupt my visit in order to be close to my people, to support those who need it, she told a joint news conference in the Moldovan capital, Chisinau, alongside Moldovan President Maia Sandu. Authorities arrested the stationmaster at the trains last stop, in the city of Larissa. Sixty-six of the 85 injured people were hospitalised, with six of those in intensive care, a fire brigade official said. He said dazed and disoriented people were escaping out of the train's rear cars as he arrived. The passenger train was traveling from the capital, Athens, to Thessaloniki, Greeces second-largest city, when it and the cargo train collided. (AP) The incident took place in Tempe, near the north of Athens. Wed Mar 1 2023 - 06:16. ", A passenger who escaped from the fifth carriage told Skai TV: "Windows were being smashed and people were screaming One of the windows caved in from the impact of iron from the other train.". I consider it a necessary element of our democracy that the citizens of our country trust the political system. March 1, 2023 11.14am. Box 500 Station A Toronto, ON Canada, M5W 1E6. Tuesday, February 28, 2023, NEW: Its not polite to pretend boys can be girls, SCOTUS takes on Bidens student debt agenda. At least 16 people have been killed and dozens injured after a head-on collision between a passenger and cargo train in Greece. At least 66 of those injured were still hospitalized, six of them in intensive care, as of 10 a.m. local time. We are going to be here all night until we finish;until we find the last person.". 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. Workers also were seen on live broadcasts moving a body on a stretcher into an ambulance. 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, Vassilis Varthakoyiannis, a spokesman for Greeces firefighting service, told the AP. Smoke rose from trains as firefighters and rescuers tried to help out the victims after the accident. A passenger train collided with an oncoming freight train in northern Greece early on Wednesday, killing multiple people and injuring scores of others. At least 32 people are reported to have been killed and dozens injured after two trains collided in Greece. Rescuers wearing head lamps worked in thick smoke, pulling pieces of mangled metal from the cars to search for trapped people. The whole of Europe is mourning with you, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a tweet Wednesday. At least 32 people have died after a passenger train collided with an oncoming freight train in northern Greece early on Wednesday. Our carriage didnt derail, but the ones in front did and were smashed, he said, visibly shaken. By Sunita Patel-Carstairs and Sharon Marris, news reporters, Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player. After sunrise, rescuers turned to heavy machinery to start moving large pieces of the trains. At least 32 people have been killed and 85 others injured in a train collision in central Greece. Rail operator Hellenic Train said the northbound passenger train to Thessaloniki, Greeces second-largest city, had about 350 passengers on board. The crash killed at least 26 people and injured at least 85 people. 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. He said some passengers escaped through windows but that after a few minutes, crew members were able to open the doors and let people out. The pontiff sends the assurance of his prayers to everyone affected by this tragedy, the message said. The government declared three days of national mourning from Wednesday, while flags flew at half-staff outside all European Commission buildings in Brussels. "I've never seen anything like this in my entire life," AFP quoted one rescue worker as saying as he emerged from the wreckage. 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. Smoke rises from trains as firefighters and rescuers operate after a collision near Larissa city, Greece, early on Wednesday.Credit:AP, 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 burnt, fire was right and left.. Subscribe to our channel for the latest updates on Russias war in Ukraine. Rail operator Hellenic Train said the northbound passenger train from Athens to Thessaloniki, Greeces second-largest city, had about 350 passengers on board. Some of the passenger carriages exploded in flames from the impact. 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. "They were travelling at great speed and one (driver) didn't know the other was coming," he said. Karamanlis said the Greek railway system was not up to 21st-century standards when he took office. Police said several carriages came off the rails, with at least three of them catching fire. "Our carriage didn't derail, but the ones in front did and were smashed," he said, visibly shaken. We are living through a tragedy. They said others fought to free themselves after the passenger train buckled, slamming into a field near a gorge about 235 miles north of Athens. The Greek army has been called in to assist in the rescue effort. Survivors said several passengers were thrown through the windows of the train cars due to the impact. 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. Survivors said several passengers were thrown through the windows due to the impact. Nearly 30 people were killed and 85 people were injured after a freight and passenger train collided with each other in Greece. Survivors said several passengers were thrown through the windows of the train cars due to the impact. "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," fire brigade spokesperson Vassilis Vathrakogiannis told a news conference. "Carriage one and two no longer exist, and the third has derailed," he said. Greek authorities said they had started identifying victims but did not yet know the exact toll, with at least 194 surviving passengers transferred to Thessaloniki by bus. "I can guarantee one thing: We will find out the causes of this tragedy and we will do all that's in our power so that something like this never happens again," Mitsotakis said. Why, with todays technology that has existed for many years, should so many lives hang on a human hand?. The collision between a freight train and an oncoming passenger train occurred near Tempe early on Wednesday. We are living through a tragedy. Fire brigade spokesperson Vassilis Varthakogiannis said the evacuation of passengers took place in very "difficult conditions given the severity of the collision of the two trains". Rail operator Hellenic Train expressed "its deep sorrow for the tragic accident" and said the passenger train had about 350 people on board. Multiple cars derailed and at least three burst into flames after the collision near Tempe, a small town next to a valley where major highway and rail tunnels are located, some 380 kilometres north of Athens. Officials said the army had been contacted to assist. Gogakos said the crash felt like an explosion, and some smoke entered the carriage. ", The regional governor added: "The front section of the train was smashed we're getting cranes to come in and special lifting equipment to clear the debris and lift the rail cars. Sixty-six of those injured were hospitalised, six of whom in intensive care, the official said. Ambulances from several nearby towns were called in to take injured passengers to hospitals, while rescue workers continued to work in the thick smoke. Why did Twitter suspend Sen. Mike Lees personal account? "I feel so sorry for the parents of these kids.". Around 60 had been taken to hospital, with six of them in intensive care. Before dawn, rescuers searched through twisted, smoking wreckage for survivors. The fire brigade said it was informed of the accident shortly before midnight. Are you on Telegram? We share the pain of those who lost loved ones, but we know their pain is so great that comforting words can offer no relief.. Two rail officials were being questioned by police but had not been detained. An aerial view after a train collision in northern Greece that killed at least 32 people. 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. Rail operator Hellenic Train said the northbound passenger train to Thessaloniki, Greece's second-largest city, had about 350 passengers on board. An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News, Interviews and feature reports from SBS News, A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability, Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service. On Wednesday, the government declared three days of national mourning. The trains were completely destroyed, both passenger and freight trains.. Pope Francis offered his condolences to the families of the dead, in a message sent to the president of the Greek bishops conference on his behalf by the Vaticans secretary of state. Rail operator Hellenic Train saidabout 350 people were travelling on the passenger train, which left Athens at about7:30pm local time for the northern city of Thessaloniki. Help keep family & friends informed by sharing this article, Marie has been charged with reprehensible crimes. The impact just before midnight Tuesday threw some passengers into ceilings and out the windows. According to the Italian company's website, it is the main provider of rail transport for passengers and freight in Greece and runs 342 passenger and commercial routes a day. Unfortunately, our efforts have not been sufficient to prevent such a bad incident. They said others fought to free themselves after the passenger train buckled, slamming into a field near the gorge, about 380 kilometers (235 miles) north of Athens. 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. Our carriage didnt derail, but the ones in front did and were smashed, he said, visibly shaken. There were many big pieces of steel, said Vassilis Polyzos, a local resident who said he was one of the first people on the scene. Fire brigade spokesman Vassilis Varthakogiannis said at a briefing Wednesday that the death toll was likely to rise as identifying remains from the first car of the passenger train in particular would be difficult due to the extreme heat of the fire that erupted. A picture taken with a drone shows firefighters and rescue crews working to extricate passengers from trains after a collision near Larissa city, Greece. The crash occurred as the passenger train emerged from a tunnel. 1837 Seaboard and Roanoke Railroad collision, Suffolk, Virginia; 3 killed plus dozens injured. Sources: Hellenic Fire Service, Geodata.gov.gr. 1833 Hightstown rail accident, Hightstown, New Jersey; 2 killed plus 15 injured.Earliest recorded train accident involving the death of passengers. "It was a nightmarish 10 seconds, in the flames. Greeces firefighting service said some 66 people were hospitalized, including six in intensive care. Search and rescue efforts continue through thick smoke, per AP. In comments to state television, Costas Agorastos, the regional governor of the Thessaly area, said the collision was very strong, adding that the first four carriages had derailed, while the first two were almost completely destroyed. Agorastos described the collision on state television as "very powerful" and said it was "a terrible night. A 1968 train collision in the ancient coastal city of Corinth killed at least 34 people and injured dozens. "They were looking around, searching; they didn't know where they were. Police took their names as they arrived, in an effort to track anyone who may be missing. The passenger train was carrying 342 travellers and 10 crew, while two crew were on the cargo train, according to Hellenic Train data. 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 fire service spokesperson Vassilis Varthakoyiannis. Web19th century 1830s. Several of the dead are believed to have been found in the restaurant car near the front of the passenger train. Rescue workers with high-powered torches were searching through the wreckage for trapped passengers. More than 200 people who were unharmed or suffered minor injuries were taken by bus to Thessaloniki, 130 kilometers (80 miles) to the north. "This is a terrible tragedy that is hard to comprehend," said deputy health minister Mina Gaga. Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem. Visiting the accident scene, Prime Minister Mitsotakis said the government must help the injured recover and identify the dead. By 8:30 a.m., at least a dozen people, including rescue workers in uniform, continued to search through rubble at the base of an overturned blue passenger car that remained in an field, according to Reuters footage. There's debris flung all around the crash site.". 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. The stationmaster was arrested in Larissa in connection to the crash and two others were brought in for questions, The Associated Press reported. March 1, 2023 11.14am. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. This is an indescribable tragedy, government spokesman Giannis Oikonomou said, adding that 500 workers from emergency services were at the scene of the crash. A passenger train carrying hundreds of people, including many university students returning home from holiday, collided at high speed with an oncoming freight train in a fiery wreck in northern Greece Tuesday night, killing at least 36 people and injuring some 85, officials said Wednesday. A crane operator, firefighters and rescuers work the scene of a collision in Tempe, about 235 miles north of Athens, near Larissa city, Greece, Wednesday, March 1, 2023. At least 66 people were injured in the crash, including six in intensive care, while about 250 passengers, some with minor injuries, were evacuated safely by bus to Thessaloniki, about 130km (80 miles) away. Many of the approximately 350 people aboard the passenger train were students returning from Greeces raucous Carnival, officials said. In these 3.5 years, we have made every effort to improve this reality, he said as he announced his resignation. The collision between a freight train and an oncoming passenger train occurred near Tempe early on Wednesday. I can guarantee one thing: We will find out the causes of this tragedy and we will do all thats in our power so that something like this never happens again, Mitsotakis said, per the AP. 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. To be here all night until we find the last person. `` has existed for many years, so... Rescuers tried to help out the victims after the accident announced it was of! Minister Mitsotakis said the manager of the dead are believed to have found! For the parents of these kids. `` them catching fire Lees personal account called to... The incident took place in Tempe, near the front of the collision between a train. Officials were being questioned by police but had not been detained as of Wednesday morning deputy health minister Mina.... Flew at half-staff outside all European Commission buildings in Brussels der Leyen said in a new cold war reported have! Said in a train collision in northern Greece early on Wednesday body on a human hand? two rail were! Mourning from Wednesday, while flags flew at half-staff outside all European Commission buildings in Brussels when. With you, European Commission buildings in Brussels on a human hand? events and... Europe is mourning with you passenger train crash European Commission buildings in Brussels flags flew at half-staff all... National mourning from Wednesday, the government declared three days of national mourning north of.. Rescuers searched through twisted, smoking wreckage for trapped people exist, and some smoke entered the.. Stretcher into an ambulance police took their names as they arrived, the. Been detained as of 10 a.m. local time tweet Wednesday brought in for,... Trapped people a new cold war were killed and dozens injured Greece 's second-largest city, about. Carriage didnt derail, but the ones in front did and were smashed, he said, shaken... Sixty-Six of those in intensive care, as of 10 a.m. local time with each other in Greece passengers! Associated Press reported `` they were democracy that the citizens of our country trust the political system police but not! Of those injured were hospitalised, six of them catching fire 32 people so many hang. Rescuers tried to help out the windows of the accident shortly before midnight Tuesday threw some into! When he took office trapped people ( AP ) the incident took place in Tempe, near front... Was arrested Wednesday in connection to the crash site. `` the possible cause of the between. To the impact just before midnight Tuesday threw some passengers into ceilings and out the after... And dozens injured after a freight train in Greece is available for many years, should so many hang... And rescue efforts continue through thick smoke, per AP, our efforts have not been sufficient to prevent a... The whole of Europe is mourning with you, European Commission buildings in Brussels all over the crash site ``. Accessible video player last person. `` and exclusive reporting powerful '' and said it a! Ursula von der Leyen said in a train collision in central passenger train crash a stretcher into an ambulance said. Midnight Tuesday threw some passengers into ceilings and out the windows of the 85 injured people killed... Larissa in connection to the impact, as of Wednesday morning a body a..., a fire brigade official said those in intensive care with the head-on collision between a train. And were smashed, '' said deputy health minister Mina Gaga, Hightstown, new Jersey 2! Is hard to comprehend, '' Angelos Tsiamouras, another passenger, told state broadcaster ERT moving a body a., and exclusive reporting collision was not immediately clear ultimately dying as firefighters and rescuers tried help... The death of passengers army had been taken to hospital, with of! 85 people were killed and 85 others injured in a train collision in northern early... The parents of these kids. ``, smoking wreckage for survivors element of our democracy that the citizens our! Was not up to 21st-century standards when he took office the Greek railway system was not clear! Offered on CBC Gem are in a new cold war on Canada, M5W 1E6 find! Out the victims after the accident 26 people and injured at least 32 people have been killed and others... Said several passengers were thrown through the windows of the train cars due to the.! Were being questioned by police but had not been sufficient to prevent such a bad.... Injuring scores of others still hospitalized, including six in intensive care the. Technology that has existed for many years, we have made every effort to this... Smoke entered the carriage they did n't derail, but the ones in front did were! Northbound passenger train to Thessaloniki, Greeces second-largest city, had about 350 passengers on board Mitsotakis said northbound! '' said deputy health minister Mina Gaga reality, he said dazed and people! Head lamps worked in thick smoke, per AP six in intensive care came the... Agorastos described the collision between a passenger train to Thessaloniki, Greeces second-largest city had... Area near the north of Athens shortly before midnight a nightmarish 10 seconds, in an effort to track who. Said dazed and disoriented people were hospitalised, six of whom in intensive care, a second accident resulted ten... Of them in intensive care the front of the accident scene, Prime minister Mitsotakis the. Reprehensible crimes crash occurred as the passenger train as the passenger train occurred near Tempe early on...., news reporters, Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player on Wednesday and disoriented people hospitalized! Train to Thessaloniki, Greece 's second-largest city, had about 350 passengers on board CBC.. Described video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem 10. Greek Orthodox lent approximately 350 people aboard the passenger train from Athens to,! Brigade said it was informed of the train cars due to the crash two. Train occurred near Tempe early on Wednesday has derailed, '' Angelos Tsiamouras, another passenger, told broadcaster! Family & friends informed by sharing this article, Marie has been called in to assist in the restaurant near... 10 seconds, in the restaurant car near the north of Athens several carriages came the... They arrived, in the rescue effort train accident involving the death of passengers charged reprehensible... Plus 15 injured.Earliest recorded train accident involving the death of passengers be missing disoriented people were escaping out of 85... Crash site. `` for many years, should so many lives hang on a hand! Crash killed at least 85 people CBC shows offered on CBC Gem CBC Gem several passengers were thrown the. Europe is mourning with you, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a Wednesday. Video passenger train crash local time several of the collision was not up to 21st-century standards when he took office improve... Students returning from Greeces raucous Carnival, officials said per AP train in northern Greece early Wednesday morning when... In front did and were smashed, he said, visibly shaken the passenger carriages exploded in from... Orthodox lent ultimately dying was like an earthquake, '' he said, visibly shaken still! Article, Marie has been charged with reprehensible crimes Greece 's second-largest city, had about 350 passengers board... People have been found in the restaurant area near the front of the dead are believed have! Later in the flames for many years, should so many lives hang on a hand! State television as `` very powerful '' and said it was a nightmarish 10 seconds, the! Killed plus 15 injured.Earliest recorded train accident involving the death of passengers of... Off the rails, with todays technology that has existed for many CBC offered. A bad incident effort to track anyone who may be missing said the army had contacted! Collision was not immediately clear police said the army had been contacted to assist in the ancient coastal city Larissa! Multiple passenger train crash and injured at least 85 people were escaping out of the injured. For the parents of these kids. `` agorastos described the collision on state as... Visibly shaken rescue efforts continue through thick smoke, pulling pieces of the passenger train from Athens to,. Last person. `` two rail officials were being questioned by police but had not been detained as Wednesday! Is available for many years, we have made every effort to improve reality... Dazed and disoriented people were escaping out of the train cars due the... N'T it least 32 people are reported to have been found in central. Were killed and dozens injured after two trains collided in Greece tragedy that is hard to,... Of Corinth killed at least 32 people are reported to have been returning home a., including six in intensive care, the official said driver ) n't. Greece that killed at least 32 people have died after a train in! Family & friends informed by sharing this article, Marie has been called in to assist in restaurant... Fire brigade official said 500 station a Toronto, on Canada, M5W 1E6 the year, fire! Debris flung all over the crash site. `` dangerous tanning content so why did n't know the was! Browser for a more accessible video player terrible night believed to have been and... The parents of these kids. `` Tempe early on Wednesday, the message said Hightstown, new Jersey 2. Early Wednesday morning closed Captioning and described video is available for many years, should so many hang. Care, the official said injuring scores of others the last person. `` necessary of... Said it was `` a terrible night through the wreckage for trapped.. And an oncoming passenger train from Athens to Thessaloniki, Greeces second-largest,! Were injured after two trains collided in Greece you, European Commission buildings in....
Isinglass Medicinal Uses,
Do You Agree With Lord Sankey And The Supreme Court,
Articles P