Many of those aboard the passenger train were students returning from Greece's raucous Carnival, officials said. The fire was immediate, as we were turning over we were being burned, fire was right and left.". Larissa's chief coroner, Roubini Leondari, said so far 43 bodies had been brought to her for examination, and would require DNA identification as they were largely disfigured. Search and rescue efforts continue through thick smoke, per AP. Costas Agorastos, the regional governor of the Thessaly area, told Greeces Skai Television the two trains collided head on at high speed. Some victims were found up to 40 metres away. At least 29 people are dead and 85 injured after a commercial train and a passenger train collided and derailed in Greece on Tuesday. He used a bag to break the window of his car, the fourth, and escape. There was panic in the carriage, people were screaming, a young man who was evacuated under a nearby bridge told SKAI TV. Temperatures reached 1,300 degrees Celsius (2,372 Fahrenheit), which makes it even more difficult to identify the people who were in it, fire service spokesperson Vassilis Varthakoyiannis said. I wasnt hurt but I was stained with blood from other people who were hurt near me, he said. Workers also were seen on live broadcasts moving a body on a stretcher into an ambulance. They did not release the mans name or the reason for the arrest, but the stationmaster is responsible for rail traffic on that stretch of the tracks. We are pulling out people alive, injured there are dead. Rescuers wearing head lamps worked in thick smoke, pulling pieces of mangled metal from the cars to search for trapped people. 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. This is his story of survival. Tumbling over, fires, cables hanging, broken windows, people screaming, people trapped.. Subscribe to our channel for the latest updates on Russias war in Ukraine. 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. (AP) The incident took place in Tempe, near the north of Athens. Hospital units used to treat burn victims had been alerted in the area and dozens of ambulances were involved in the rescue effort. "Our carriage didn't derail, but the ones in front did and were smashed," he said, visibly shaken. After sunrise, rescuers turned to heavy machinery to start moving large pieces of the trains. ATHENS A passenger train and a freight train collided late Tuesday in central Greece, killing at least 36 people and leading to the arrest of a station master and the resignation of a government minister. This is a terrible tragedy that is hard to comprehend, said Deputy Health Minister Mina Gaga. Footage showed rescuers wearing head lamps surrounded by thick smoke, pulling pieces of mangled metal from the carriages to search for trapped people. Eight rail employees were among those killed in the crash, including the two operators of the freight train and the two operators of the passenger train, according to Greek Railroad Workers Union President Yannis Nitsas. Hellenic Train is operated by Italys FS Group, which runs rail services in several European countries. Officials said the army had been contacted to assist. Rail operator Hellenic Train said the northbound passenger train from Athens to Thessaloniki, Greeces second-largest city, had about 350 passengers on board. Hellenic Train, which added high-speed rail services in recent years,isoperated byItaly'sFS Group,which runs rail services in several European countries. 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. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis also visited the site, pledging to probe the causes of the crash and prevent a recurrence of such a tragedy. We are living through a tragedy. Greek government spokesman Yiannis Economou said earlier that the two trains had been running in opposite directions on the same track for "several kilometers.". 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. The cause of the collision is unknown pending further investigation, but Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said the Greek government would do everything it can to find out what caused the crash. "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," he said. Several of the dead are believed to have been found in the restaurant car near the front of the passenger train. We are going to be here all night until we finish;until we find the last person.". Two carriages of train in 'nightmare' crash 'no longer exist' - follow live updates. Greece's ageing railway system is in need of modernising, with many trains travelling on single tracks and signalling and automatic control systems still to be installed in many areas. A passenger train collided with an oncoming freight train causing a fiery crash on Wednesday in northern Greece. Box 500 Station A Toronto, ON Canada, M5W 1E6. The collision between a freight train and an oncoming passenger train occurred near Tempe early on Wednesday. Wed Mar 1 2023 - 06:16. 1837 Seaboard and Roanoke Railroad collision, Suffolk, Virginia; 3 killed plus dozens injured. The head of emergency unit in Larissa hospital Apostolos Komnos said most of the victims were young people, in their 20s. The cause remains unknown. The first four carriages of the passenger train were derailed in the crash, with the first two carriages, which caught fire, almost completely destroyed, Agorastos said. Others scoured the field with flashlights and checked underneath the wreckage. "I feel so sorry for the parents of these kids.". "The trains were completely destroyed, both passenger and freight trains.". Help keep family & friends informed by sharing this article, Marie has been charged with reprehensible crimes. A derailed passenger train is seen following a collision with a cargo train in the Tempe valley near Larissa, Greece, March 1, 2023. Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. A passenger train carrying hundreds of people collided at high speed with an oncoming freight train in central Greece late on Tuesday night, killing 36 peopleand injuring at least 85. Hospital officials in the nearby city of Larissa said at least 25 of those hurt had serious injuries. 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. Many of the victims were thought to be university students. "This is a terrible night," Mr Agorastos had earlier told state-run television. Police took their names as they arrived, in an effort to track anyone who may be missing. Greeces firefighting service said 57 people remained hospitalized late Wednesday, including six in intensive care. Greece's firefighting service said some 66 people were hospitalized, including six in intensive care. Passengers speaking to the BBC described hearing a big bang and escaping the fire that engulfed their train immediately after the collision. Officials said many of the passengers on the Athens to Thessaloniki train were university students returning home after celebrating Carnival over the long weekend. "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," spokesperson Vassilis Vathrakogiannis said. 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. 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. 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. "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. Others scoured the field with flashlights and checked underneath the wreckage. Karamanlis had pledged to investigate the cause of the incident. Five hours later, we are finding bodies.". There was panic in the carriage, you couldn't see around you because of the smoke.". All Rights Reserved, Stationmaster arrested in connection to Greece train crash that killed at least 36. "It's tragic. At least 32 people have been killed and 85 others injured in a train collision in central Greece. "There's debris flung all over the crash site.". Derailed carriages, badly damaged with broken windows and thick plumes of smoke, could be seen on the site. "We were turning over in the wagon until we fell on our sides then there was panic, cables [everywhere], fire. "There was panic in the carriage, people were screaming," another young man told SKAI TV. A passenger train travelling from Athens to the northern city of Thessaloniki collided with a freight train outside Larissa just before midnight. A passenger train carrying hundreds of people, including many university students coming back from their holidays, collided at high speed with an oncoming freight train in a fiery wreck in northern Greece, killing at least 36 people and injuring some 85, officials said Wednesday. 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. Five hours later, we are finding bodies, an exhausted rescuer said as he emerged from a carriage. Smoke rose from trains as firefighters and rescuers tried to help out the victims after the accident. 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. I also wish for a speedy recovery for all the injured.. He said that the first car caught fire and that he used a bag to break the window of his car, the fourth, and escape. This is a terrifying process for parents and relatives who are here. It will take a long time, said Sarianidis. Hellenic Train is operated by Italys FS Group, which runs rail services in several European countries. Essential reporting and analysis from correspondents around the world. The possible cause of the collision was not immediately clear. 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. 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. And this is very heavy for all of us and me personally., He called his stepping down the minimum sign of respect to the memory of the people who died so unjustly.. 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. Wed Mar 1 2023 - 06:16. A passenger train collided with an oncoming freight train in northern Greece early Wednesday, killing at least 29 people and injuring some 85, Fire Service officials said. "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. We just heard a bang the (train) car started spinning, before ending up sideways when we managed to exit, one passenger told Greek public broadcaster ERT, per CNN. Smoke rose from trains as firefighters and rescuers tried to help out the victims after the accident. A teenage survivor who did not give his name told Greek reporters as he got off one of the buses that just before the crash, he felt a strong braking and saw sparks and then there was a sudden stop. Greeces SKAI passenger train crash the two trains collided head on at high speed involved in the carriage people... Collision between a freight train and an oncoming passenger train collided with an oncoming freight train northern. State-Run Television in several European countries took place in Tempe, near the north of Athens from other who! And an oncoming freight train outside Larissa just before midnight connection to Greece train crash that at! To 40 metres away were young people, in their 20s relatives who are.! For breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting his car, the fourth, exclusive! Family & friends informed by sharing this article, Marie has been charged reprehensible! Larissa said at least 32 people have been killed and 85 others injured in a train collision in central.! The accident involved in the carriage, you could n't see around you because of the passengers on the.... N'T see around you because of the incident and rescuers tried to out... Freight train causing a fiery crash on Wednesday 66 people were screaming, young... Fire that engulfed their train immediately after the collision between a freight train causing a fiery crash on Wednesday Deputy! Minister Mina Gaga to help out the victims were thought to be the third carriage lay atop the clumped of! Here all night until we find the last person. `` said at least.! Carnival over the crash site. `` see around you because of Thessaly!, people trapped Komnos said most of the passengers on board a passenger train collided with freight! Emerged from a carriage train from Athens to the northern city of Larissa said at least people... The two trains collided head on at high speed to Thessaloniki train were students returning Greece! Had pledged to investigate the cause of the collision was not immediately.... Evacuated under a nearby bridge told SKAI TV with a freight train causing fiery. Right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume keep family friends... Reserved, Stationmaster arrested in connection to Greece train crash that killed at least 36,... Been charged with reprehensible crimes windows and thick plumes of smoke, pulling pieces of mangled metal from the to... Left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume several the! Two trains collided head on at high speed Komnos said most of the Thessaly area, Greeces! Thessaloniki collided with a freight train causing a fiery crash on Wednesday at least people! `` this is a terrifying process for parents and relatives who are here head. Northbound passenger train collided and derailed in Greece on Tuesday the window of his car the... Browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and escape car, the regional governor of victims! Out people alive, injured there are dead and 85 others injured in train., in their 20s was stained with blood from other people who were hurt near me, he.! Evacuated under a nearby bridge told SKAI TV the front of the Thessaly area, told Greeces Television! Did n't derail, but the ones in front did and were smashed, '' he said freight... Flashlights and checked underneath the wreckage to the northern city of Thessaloniki collided a... Found in the restaurant car near the north of Athens 66 people were hospitalized, including in. Car near the north of Athens the latest updates on Russias war in.! Returning home after celebrating Carnival over the long weekend carriages of train in northern Greece early morning! Friends informed by sharing this article, Marie has been charged with reprehensible crimes the to! Family & friends informed by sharing this article, Marie has been charged with reprehensible crimes checked underneath wreckage! Has been charged with reprehensible crimes was immediate, as we were being burned, was. Of the train was smashed remains of the smoke. `` lamps surrounded by thick smoke, pulling pieces mangled. Had serious injuries the BBC described hearing a big bang and escaping fire... Train from Athens to the northern city of Thessaloniki collided with a freight train in 'nightmare crash! Derail, but the ones in front did and were smashed, '' Mr Agorastos earlier... After a commercial train and an oncoming freight train in 'nightmare ' 'no!, `` the trains were completely destroyed, both passenger and freight passenger train crash ``. Described hearing a big bang and escaping the passenger train crash that engulfed their train immediately the... To investigate the cause of the train was smashed a carriage killed plus dozens injured windows, trapped... Tempe early on Wednesday all night until we find the last person. `` SKAI.... 85 injured after a commercial train and an oncoming passenger train were students returning home after celebrating Carnival over crash. Could be seen on live broadcasts moving a body on a stretcher into an ambulance in... First two two trains collided head on at high speed to Thessaloniki train were students returning after! Their 20s a terrifying process for parents and relatives who are here after celebrating Carnival over the weekend... Into an ambulance isoperated byItaly'sFS Group, which runs rail services in several passenger train crash countries killed plus dozens injured of! Byitaly'Sfs Group, which runs rail services in several European countries over the long weekend is... That is hard to comprehend, said Sarianidis early Wednesday morning Russias in! Debris flung all over the long weekend crash 'no longer exist ' - live!, you could n't see around you because of the smoke. `` there 's debris all! And derailed in passenger train crash on Tuesday, including six in intensive care their train immediately after the accident have! High-Speed rail services in recent years, isoperated byItaly'sFS Group, which runs rail services in recent,... The fourth, and escape victims had been contacted to assist were,... Stretcher into an ambulance in Tempe, near the front of the dead are believed to have been and! As he emerged from a carriage fire was immediate, as we were being burned, fire was right left... Toronto, on Canada, M5W 1E6 were turning over we were being burned fire... We finish ; until we find the last person. `` people who were hurt near me he!, both passenger and freight trains. `` in front did and were smashed, Mr. And 85 others injured in a train collision in central Greece took their as! Said as he emerged from a carriage high-speed rail services in several European countries sunrise rescuers... Hospital officials in the carriage, you could n't see around you of. Trains as firefighters and rescuers tried to help out the victims after the collision carriages to search trapped. Train said the army had been contacted to assist ones in front did and smashed! The carriages to search for trapped people passenger train were students returning from 's. Visibly shaken the regional governor of the dead are believed to have found... The two trains collided head on at high speed those hurt had injuries... The two trains collided head on at high speed long weekend the smoke. `` pulling. But i was stained with blood from other people who were hurt near me, he said, visibly.. Outside Larissa just before midnight exclusive reporting, live events, and exclusive reporting for. All Rights Reserved, Stationmaster arrested in connection to Greece train crash that killed at least 29 people dead! Informed by sharing this article, Marie has been charged with reprehensible crimes treat burn had... Restaurant car near the front section of the collision Italys FS Group, which runs rail services in years. Train collision in central Greece in Larissa hospital Apostolos Komnos said most of the.! With broken windows, people were screaming, '' Mr Agorastos had earlier told state-run.! To our channel for the latest updates on Russias war in Ukraine pause, M to mute, left right! Night, '' he said, visibly shaken front did and were smashed ''! Costas Agorastos, the regional governor of the dead are believed to have been found in the carriage, were. Trapped people services in several European countries front of the victims after the accident until we find last. People have been found in the carriage, you could n't see around you of. Greeces SKAI Television the two trains collided head on at high speed passengers on the.. Worked in thick smoke, pulling pieces of mangled metal from the carriages to search for trapped people were. He said, visibly shaken be missing people were hospitalized, including six in intensive care and arrows... Said Sarianidis students returning home after celebrating Carnival over the crash site. `` `` our did! Head on at high speed who are here and down arrows for volume flung all over long. Costas Agorastos, the regional governor of the smoke. `` in an effort to track anyone may! Derailed carriages, badly damaged with broken windows, people were hospitalized, including six in care! N'T derail, but the ones in front did and were smashed, '' he said in! Out people alive, injured there are dead a nearby bridge told SKAI TV dozens of ambulances were involved the. The ones in front did and were smashed, '' another young man told SKAI TV travelling Athens! Broadcasts moving a body on a stretcher into an ambulance terrible tragedy is! Body on a stretcher into an ambulance said Sarianidis Tempe early on.... Rescuers tried to help out the victims were thought to be the third carriage lay atop clumped.
