While the cause of Tuesday's collision was not immediately clear, Greece's ageing railway system has long been in need of modernising, with many trains travelling on single tracks and signalling and automatic control systems yet to be installed in many areas. We are talking about an unspeakable tragedy. They are in very bad condition. Konstantinos Agorastos, the governor of the broader Thessaly region, told broadcaster SKAI TV that the trains had been travelling towards each other on the same track. Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou said she was cutting short a visit to Moldova to return to Greece. Are you on Telegram? At least 16 people have been killed and dozens injured after a head-on collision between a passenger and cargo train in Greece. Railway safety in Greece has come under scrutiny in recent years, and the accident late Tuesday is the countrys deadliest, according to local media. 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. 1837 Seaboard and Roanoke Railroad collision, Suffolk, Virginia; 3 killed plus dozens injured. Gogakos said the crash felt like an explosion, and some smoke entered the carriage. Train collision in Greece kills at least 36; station master arrested. The government declared three days of national mourning from Wednesday, while flags flew at half-staff outside all European Commission buildings in Brussels. "It's tragic. The fire that raged in the train crash reached temperatures of 1300 degrees Celsius (2372 degrees Fahrenheit), the fire department said in a news release, and the heat from the fire caused delays in rescue and removal operations. Please try again later. 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 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. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. At least two train cars appeared to be tipped sideways near the track, while one was severely dented, with gaping windows, as firefighters worked to extricate passengers. "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. "This is a terrible tragedy that is hard to comprehend," said Deputy Health Minister Mina Gaga. "I've never seen anything like this in my entire life," AFP quoted one rescue worker as saying as he emerged from the wreckage. At least 32 people are reported to have been killed and dozens injured after two trains collided in 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. 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. Hospital units used to treat burn victims had been alerted in the area and dozens of ambulances were involved in the rescue effort. Eight rail employees were among those killed in the crash, 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. The pontiff sends the assurance of his prayers to everyone affected by this tragedy, the message 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. ", Vassilis Polyzos, a local resident who said he was one of the first people on the scene, said both trains were completely destroyed.. Greece had the highest overall railway fatality rate among 29 countries studied in a 2022 safety report by the European Union Agency for Railways, as well as the seventh-highest passenger fatality rate. Several of the dead are believed to have been found in the restaurant area near the front of the passenger train. "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. After sunrise, rescuers turned to heavy machinery to start moving large pieces of the trains, revealing more bodies and dismembered remains. This year was the first time the three-day festival, which precedes Lent, was celebrated in full since the start of the pandemic in 2020. Police took their names as they arrived, in an effort to track anyone who may be missing. There was panic in the carriage, you couldn't see around you because of the smoke.". Eight rail employees were among those killed in the crash, 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. (AP) The incident took place in Tempe, near the north of Athens. More than 200 people who were unharmed in the crash or suffered minor injuries were transported by bus to Thessaloniki, 130 kilometers (80 miles) to the north. 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. "The trains were completely destroyed, both passenger and freight trains.". 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. The trains crashed just before the Vale of Tempe, a gorge that separates the regions of Thessaly and Macedonia. Workers also were seen on live broadcasts moving a body on a stretcher into an ambulance. This is a terrible tragedy that is hard to comprehend, said Deputy Health Minister Mina Gaga. She told me were on fire. How much could a short, brisk daily walk lower your health risks? Thessaloniki has a large student population. ', CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices. Agorastor told SKAI TV the two trains collided head on the passenger train travelling from Athens to Thessaloniki, and a cargo train from Thessaloniki to Larissa. 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. "People, naturally, were scared - very scared," he said. A passenger train collided with an oncoming freight train in northern Greece early Wednesday morning. Rescuers wearing head lamps worked in thick smoke, pulling pieces of mangled metal from the cars to search for trapped people. He said he was taking responsibility for "long-standing failures" in the country's transport network. At least 29 people are dead and 85 injured after a commercial train and a passenger train collided and derailed in Greece on Tuesday. The passenger train was traveling from the capital, Athens, to Thessaloniki, Greeces second-largest city, when it and the cargo train collided. Wed Mar 1 2023 - 06:16. A passenger train travelling from Athens to the northern city of Thessaloniki collided with a freight train outside Larissa just before midnight. Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou cut short a visit to Moldova and traveled to the crash site, where she laid white flowers among the wreckage, according to the Greek newspaper Kathimerini. 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. TikTok announced it was banning dangerous tanning content so why didn't it. Nigerias Tinubu wins presidential election; opposition cries foul, Greece train collision kills at least 36; station master arrested, Ukraine live briefing: Ukraine marks first day of spring as battle for Bakhmut intensifies. "Based on these facts, and the findings from the scene of the tragedy, the number is expected to be greater" than the current toll of 36. Web19th century 1830s. Dear President Biden: War in Ukraine isnt just about Ukraine, There can be no genuine budget discipline without entitlement reform, Two birds, one stone: 1619 Project vindicates capitalism. There are 20 to 25 people still missing, so the death toll from the collision could change, according to the BBC. 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. He said dazed and disoriented people were escaping out of the train's rear cars as he arrived. 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Several of the dead are believed to have been found in the restaurant car near the front of the passenger train. The pain is unspeakable, he said. By subscribing, you agree to SBSs terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS. The government declared three days of national mourning until Friday, with flags flying at half-mast in a tribute to the victims. "I express my condolences to those who lost loved ones or suffered in this disaster.". 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. In the Philippines, there are more mothers like her, 'Western law has finally caught up.' TEMPE, Greece (AP) A head-on collision between a passenger train and a freight train flattened carriages, killed at least 36 people and injured some 85, Greek officials said Wednesday. This year was the first time the festival, which precedes Lent, was celebrated in full since the start of the pandemic in 2020. Source: Getty / Anadolu Agency, Murat whistled until he was found under rubble in Trkiye. 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. 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. This story will be updated as more information develops. Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem. Five hours later, we are finding bodies, an exhausted rescuer said as he emerged from a carriage. Around 350 passengers were on board the passenger train that was heading northbound from Athens to Thessaloniki, both of which are popular with tourists. Smokes were seen from where the accident took place. "We were turning over in the wagon until we fell on our sides then there was panic, cables [everywhere], fire. "We were turning over in the wagon until we fell on our sides then there was panic, cables (everywhere) the fire was immediate, as we were turning over we were being burned.". Rescuers wearing head lamps worked in thick smoke, pulling pieces of mangled metal from the cars to search for trapped people. Fire Service Officials said 32 people were killed and at least 85 were injured. He said dazed and disoriented people were escaping out of the trains rear cars as he arrived. The government declared three days of national mourning, with flags flying at half-mast in a tribute to the victims of the crash. "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. Survivors said several passengers were thrown through the windows of the train cars on impact. A passenger train and a cargo train have collided head-on in Greece, killing at least 36 people and injuring dozens as the country's deadliest rail crash in living memory threw entire carriages off the tracks. When something so tragic happens, it is not possible to carry on as if nothing happened. I feel so sorry for the parents of these kids.. Visiting the accident scene, Prime Minister Mitsotakis said the government must help the injured recover and identify the dead. Theres debris flung all around the crash site.. Some of the injured were taken to hospitals in Larissa, and at least 150 firefighters and dozens of emergency vehicles were dispatched to the crash site. At least 32 people are reported to have been killed and dozens injured after two trains collided in Greece. The stationmaster was arrested in Larissa in connection to the crash and two others were brought in for questions, The Associated Press reported. Karamanlis said the Greek railway system was not up to 21st-century standards when he took office. Police took their names as they arrived, in an effort to track anyone who may be missing. There's debris flung all around the crash site.". Others scoured the field with flashlights and checked underneath the wreckage. On Wednesday, the government declared three days of national mourning. Thessaly regional governor Konstantinos Agorastos saidthe two trains hurtled towards each other on the same track. Derailed carriages, badly damaged with broken windows and thick plumes of smoke, could be seen on the site. 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. (Video: The Washington Post). My hair is burning, he told ERT, without giving his name. The trains crashed just before the Vale of Tempe, a gorge that separates the regions of Thessaly and Macedonia. "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. "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. "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. Paphitis reported from Athens, Greece. We are pulling out people alive, injuredthere are dead," he said. Carriage one and two no longer exist, and the third has derailed, he said. Passenger train from Athens collides head-on with freight train in Greece, killing 36 people. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. 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. It is a priority for CBC to create products that are accessible to all in Canada including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges. 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. 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. We are going to be here all night, until we finish, until we find the last person, a volunteer rescue worker told the ERT public broadcaster. Now it's set for an overhaul. "Our carriage didn't derail, but the ones in front did and were smashed," he said, visibly shaken. Many of the victims were thought to be university students. "We're getting cranes to come in and special lifting equipment clear the debris and lift the rail cars. Rescue crews illuminated the scene with floodlights before dawn on Wednesday as they searched frantically through the twisted, smoking wreckage for survivors. Police said several carriages came off the rails, with at least three of them catching fire. 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. This is his story of survival. The cause of the collision is not yet known and is being investigated. 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 59-year-old station master was arrested," AFP quoted a local police spokesperson as saying, adding that charges would be announced later in the day, but providing no information on what those charges might be. Rescuers in Larissa, Greece are searching for survivors in the twisted remains of a passenger train and freight train that collided at high speed shortly before midnight. Visiting the crash scene, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said that the government must help the injured recover and identify the dead. At least 16 people have been killed and dozens injured after a head-on collision between a passenger and cargo train in Greece. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Our carriage didnt derail, but the ones in front did and were smashed, he said, visibly shaken. After sunrise, they turned to heavy machinery that had been brought in to start moving large pieces of the trains. TEMPE, Greece -- Rescuers searched for survivors Wednesday in the mangled, burned-out wreckage of two trains that slammed into each other in northern Greece, killing at least 43 people and crumpling carriages into twisted steel knots in the country's worst-ever rail crash. Search and rescue efforts continue through thick smoke, per AP. A train carrying hundreds of passengers collided with an oncoming freight train in northern Greece, killing and injuring dozens passengers. The wagon started to spin and then it ended up on its side and we got out. While the track is double, both trains were traveling in opposite directions on the same line near the Vale of Tempe, a river valley about 380 kilometers (235 miles) north of Athens. Greece sold railway operator TRAINOSE to Italys Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane in 2017 as part of its international bailout programme, in the expectation that hundreds of millions of euros would be invested in rail infrastructure. A passenger train collided with an oncoming freight train in northern Greece early Wednesday morning. 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. 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