A passenger train en route from Kazan to Adler derailed in the Volgograd region, RIA Novosti news agency reported.
The number of injured is not yet known. The TASS news agency reported that at least 20 people were injured, while the Interfax news agency said the number could reach 100. The Russian authorities have not confirmed these figures.
– Six vehicles were lying on the side. Three ambulances are at the scene, an emergency services representative told RIA.
Collisions: According to TASS, more than 800 passengers were on board the train at the time of the collision. Photo: Social media
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More than 800 passengers were on board the train, TASS news agency reported.
According to the railway company RZD, eight carriages derailed. The company said the cause of the accident was a truck overturning at a level crossing. This has not been officially confirmed.
The collision is said to have occurred at 12.35 on the stretch between Gremyachaya and Kotelnikovo.
complete confusion
Rescue teams and medical teams immediately rushed to the scene. A total of 324 people and 109 units of equipment were mobilized. TASS news agency reported that two Mi-8 helicopters from the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry were sent to help evacuate the wounded.
According to the official representative of the Ministry of Interior, Irina Volk, the truck driver was taken to the hospital. The Russian news agency RIA reported that police and rescue teams are working at the scene to clarify all the circumstances surrounding the accident.
According to TASS, the police have launched an investigation into the incident, and a criminal case has been opened for violating railway safety rules.
Train traffic on the affected section has been temporarily suspended while clean-up work is carried out and the investigation continues.
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