Topline
At least 36 people were killed and several others were injured after a passenger train traveling at high speed collided head-on with an oncoming cargo train late on Tuesday night, making it the country’s deadliest transport accidents in years.
A crane, firefighters and rescuers operate after a collision in Tempe near Larissa city, Greece.
Key Facts
According to Greece’s national fire service, rescue operations are ongoing for people who may have been trapped under debris while 66 people have been hospitalized with injuries—six of whom are receiving intensive care.
Emergency workers’ efforts are being focussed on the first three carriages of the passenger train, which caught fire and were almost completely destroyed in the collision.
Around 250 people were safely evacuated from the passenger train and sent to the northern city of Thessaloniki on busses, Reuters reported.
The passenger train was traveling from Athens to Thessaloniki while the cargo train was heading from Thessaloniki to the city of Larissa, near which the collision took place.
Officials have deemed the collision as an accident although it is still unclear how two trains heading in opposite directions ended up on the same track.
The passenger train was operated by Hellenic Train, which is owned by the Italian state-run holding company FS Group.
Crucial Quote
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen offered her condolences on Twitter saying: “My thoughts are with the people of Greece after the terrible train accident that claimed so many lives last night near Larissa. The whole of Europe is mourning with you. I also wish for a speedy recovery for all the injured. We are by your side.”
This is a developing story.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2023/03/01/at-least-36-killed-after-two-trains-collide-head-on-in-greece/