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Key Points

In Russia's Kursk region, a freight train derailed following a railway bridge collapse, marking the second such incident in 24 hours. This comes on the heels of a separate derailment in Bryansk where a passenger train crashed, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries. Authorities suspect "illegal interference" may have played a role in the Bryansk derailment, hinting at potential sabotage. These incidents raise pressing safety questions amidst ongoing regional tensions, as both areas have previously faced cross-border attacks.

Key Points: Russia Train Derailments in Kursk and Bryansk Raise Safety Concerns

  • Kursk freight train derailed after a bridge collapsed
  • Second incident in 24 hours following Bryansk derailment
  • Emergency teams contained fire on the Kursk train
2 min read

Russia: Freight train derails as railway bridge collapses, 2nd in 24 hrs

Two Russian train derailments due to bridge collapses in 24 hours spark major safety concerns.

"A bridge collapsed when a freight train was crossing it. - Alexander Khinshtein"

Kursk, June 1

A freight train locomotive and three of its empty cars derailed on Sunday after a railway bridge collapsed in Russia's Zheleznogorsk district of the Kursk region, marking the second such incident in under 24 hours.

The acting governor of the region, Alexander Khinshtein, reported that the collapse occurred on the 48th kilometre of the Trosna-Kalinovka highway.

"Tonight, on the 48th km of the Trosna-Kalinovka highway in the Zheleznogorsk District, a bridge collapsed when a freight train was crossing it. Part of the train fell down onto a road located under the bridge," Khinshtein stated on his Telegram channel.

He added that the locomotive caught fire, but emergency response teams from the Ministry of Emergency Situations quickly contained the blaze. The rest of the train remains on the railway platform.

According to preliminary information, one of the train's drivers sustained leg injuries.

Authorities have suspended traffic on the road underneath the collapsed bridge as a precaution.

This incident comes shortly after a separate derailment late Saturday in Russia's Bryansk region, where a passenger train plunged off the tracks following another bridge collapse.

The passenger train was travelling from Moscow to Klimov when it derailed in the Vygonichskyi district.

At least seven people were killed and 69 others injured in that crash, Bryansk Governor Alexander Bogomaz confirmed.

The train's locomotive driver was among the deceased, according to Russian state media, citing medical sources.

The Ministry of Emergency Situations announced that approximately 180 personnel were deployed to the Bryansk site to assist with rescue efforts and to search for any remaining victims.

Authorities have cited "illegal interference" as the likely cause behind the Bryansk derailment.

Reports from the Baza Telegram channel, known for sourcing information from Russian law enforcement and security services, suggested that preliminary findings indicated the bridge might have been deliberately blown up.

However, no concrete evidence has yet been provided to support this claim.

The Bryansk, Kursk, and Belgorod regions have frequently come under cross-border shelling, drone strikes, and covert operations from Ukrainian territory since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rajesh K.
Very tragic incidents. Russia's infrastructure seems to be under tremendous strain due to the ongoing conflict. Hope our Indian railways learns from this - we must maintain our bridges and tracks properly. Safety should never be compromised!
P
Priya M.
Two bridge collapses in 24 hours? This is very suspicious timing. Either Russia's infrastructure is crumbling due to war expenses or there's truth to the sabotage claims. Either way, innocent lives are lost 😔
A
Amit S.
Russia is our long-time friend but we must be careful about taking sides in this conflict. The war is clearly affecting their internal security and infrastructure. India should focus on strengthening our own railway safety - remember the Odisha train accident last year?
S
Sunita R.
My heart goes out to the families who lost loved ones. War affects everyone - not just soldiers but ordinary citizens going about their daily lives. Hope peace returns soon 🙏
V
Vikram J.
The timing is too coincidental. If this is indeed sabotage, it shows how vulnerable transport infrastructure becomes during conflicts. India must take note - our borders with certain neighbors are not exactly peaceful either.
N
Neha P.
While tragic, this shows why India needs to diversify its defense partnerships. We've relied too much on Russian equipment. Maybe it's time to invest more in domestic manufacturing and other international collaborations. Jai Hind!

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