At least 26 people have died and at least 25 are in hospital after two trains colliding in northern Greece, BBC reports. The crash, which took place near the city of Larissa on Tuesday evening (February 28), triggered multiple train cars to derail and a fire on at least three carriages that rescuers have been attempting to combat as they work to save passengers.
Footage of large flames and thick smoke rising from the passenger train and freight train has been published on local news sites. 17 vehicles were at the scene fighting the blaze according to the fire brigade.
The cause of the collision as the passenger train was travelling between Thessaloniki and Larissa is still unknown.
“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 Service spokesman Vassilis Varthakoyiannis said.
Hospital units used to treat burn victims had been alerted in the area, he said, adding that dozens of ambulances were involved in the rescue effort. Rescuers wearing head lamps worked in thick smoke, pulling pieces of mangled sheet metal from the crashed rail cars to search for trapped people.
“It was a very powerful collision. This is a terrible night… It’s hard to describe the scene,” Costas Agorastos, the regional governor of the central Thessaly area, told state-run television.
"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. There’s debris flung all around the crash site.”
Government officials said the army has been contacted to assist in the rescue.
Subscribe here for the latest news where you live
Rail operator Hellenic Train said the northbound passenger train from Athens to the northern city of Thessaloniki had about 350 passengers on board when the collision occurred. Passengers who received minor injuries or were unharmed were transported by bus to Thessaloniki, 80 miles north of the incident.
For more stories from where you live, visit InYourArea.
