This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36774059
The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Italy train crash: 'Twenty killed' near Bari | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Twenty people have been killed and dozens more hurt in a head-on collision involving two passenger trains in southern Italy, officials say. | |
| The two trains were on a single-track line at the time of the crash, between the coastal towns of Bari and Barletta. | The two trains were on a single-track line at the time of the crash, between the coastal towns of Bari and Barletta. |
| Emergency services are trying to free passengers from the wrecked carriages near the town of Andria. | Emergency services are trying to free passengers from the wrecked carriages near the town of Andria. |
| "I think there are many dead," local police chief Riccardo Zingaro told Rai TV. | "I think there are many dead," local police chief Riccardo Zingaro told Rai TV. |
| Some of the carriages were extensively damaged, he said. There were fears the number of deaths could rise still further. | |
| One of those rescued from the wreckage was a small child who was airlifted to hospital. | One of those rescued from the wreckage was a small child who was airlifted to hospital. |
| It was unclear what led to the collision, which happened in good weather at 11:30 local time (09:30 GMT) in the southern region of Apulia. | It was unclear what led to the collision, which happened in good weather at 11:30 local time (09:30 GMT) in the southern region of Apulia. |
| A local prosecutor in nearby Trani said it was too early to speculate on the cause, although human error was likely to have been a factor. | |
| Italian reports said one of the trains had come from Andria, and the other from Corato, a short distance to the south-east. Both were travelling at high speed. | Italian reports said one of the trains had come from Andria, and the other from Corato, a short distance to the south-east. Both were travelling at high speed. |
| Both trains had four carriages and images from the fire service showed wreckage strewn across a large area. Some of the carriages were so badly damaged there was little left but debris. | Both trains had four carriages and images from the fire service showed wreckage strewn across a large area. Some of the carriages were so badly damaged there was little left but debris. |
| Corato Mayor Massimo Mazzilli said the damage was so extensive it was as if a plane had crashed. | Corato Mayor Massimo Mazzilli said the damage was so extensive it was as if a plane had crashed. |
| Rescuers set up a field hospital at the scene to help care for the large number of wounded passengers. | Rescuers set up a field hospital at the scene to help care for the large number of wounded passengers. |
| Prime Minister Matteo Renzi interrupted a trip to Milan after the crash and returned to Rome. | Prime Minister Matteo Renzi interrupted a trip to Milan after the crash and returned to Rome. |
| The line, managed by Ferrotramviaria, is used by thousands of people daily on about 200 trains. Work is under way to make it a double-track line. | The line, managed by Ferrotramviaria, is used by thousands of people daily on about 200 trains. Work is under way to make it a double-track line. |
| Apulia regional leader Mario Loizzo said he was "deeply shaken" by the crash. | Apulia regional leader Mario Loizzo said he was "deeply shaken" by the crash. |
| Italy's FS state rail operator expressed its condolences to the dead and wounded. | Italy's FS state rail operator expressed its condolences to the dead and wounded. |
| Earlier this year, 11 people died on a single track in southern Germany when two trains collided head-on at Bad Aibling near the Austrian border. Investigators said a signal controller had mistakenly allowed both trains to use the line, disabling an automatic safety system. | |
| Are you in the area? Are you on the train? If it is safe to do so, please get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Are you in the area? Are you on the train? If it is safe to do so, please get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
| You can also contact us in the following ways: | You can also contact us in the following ways: |
| Or use the form below | Or use the form below |