At least 16 killed, dozens injured in fiery train collision in northern Greece – National | 24CA News
A passenger prepare and an oncoming freight prepare collided in a fiery wreck in northern Greece early Wednesday, killing 16 folks and injuring at the least 85, Fire Service officers mentioned.
Multiple vehicles derailed and at the least three burst into flame after the collision close to Tempe, some 380 kilometers (235 miles) north of Athens. Hospital officers within the close by metropolis of Larissa mentioned at the least 25 folks had severe accidents.
“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 mentioned.
Hospital models used to deal with burn victims had been alerted within the space, he mentioned, and dozens of ambulances had been concerned within the rescue effort.
Rescuers sporting head lamps labored in thick smoke, pulling items of mangled steel from the rail vehicles to seek for trapped folks.
Passengers who obtained minor accidents or had been unhurt had been transported by bus to Thessaloniki, 130 kilometers (80 miles) north of the incident. Police took their names as they arrived in an effort to trace anybody who could also be lacking.
A teenage survivor who didn’t give his identify advised Greek reporters as he received off one of many buses that simply earlier than the crash, he felt a powerful braking and noticed sparks after which there was a sudden cease.
“Our carriage didn’t derail, but the ones in front did and were smashed,” he mentioned, visibly shaken.
He added that the primary automobile caught fireplace and that he used a bag to interrupt the window of his automobile, the fourth, and escape.
Costas Agorastos, the regional governor of the central Thessaly space, advised state tv that “it was a very powerful collision” and “This is a terrible night.”
“The front section of the train was smashed. … We’re getting cranes to come in and special lifting equipment clear the debris and lift the rail cars. There’s debris flung all around the crash site.”
Officials mentioned the military had been contacted to help.
Rail operator Hellenic Train mentioned the northbound passenger prepare from Athens to Thessaloniki had about 350 passengers on board when the collision occurred.
Gatopoulos reported from Athens.
© 2023 The Canadian Press
