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Italy train crash: 'Twenty killed' near Bari | 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. | 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. |
Authorities have appealed for blood donations, calling the situation "dramatic". | |
Some of the carriages were extensively damaged, local police chief Riccardo Zingaro told Rai TV. 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. | 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. |
"The situation is dramatic," Antonio Nunziante, from the local civil defence, told Ansa news agency. | |
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. |
Italy's deadly train accidents | |
June 2009: Freight train carrying liquefied petroleum gas derails in Viareggio, causing a large explosion. More than 30 people die | |
January 2005: A head-on collision between a passenger and a freight train near Crevalcore kills 17 | |
July 2002: A passenger train derails in Rometta Messina, killing eight people | |
April 1978: Two trains collide near a ravine next to Murazze Vado. Some of the cars fell into the gorge, killing 42 | |
Sources: Ansa, Corriere della Sera | |
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. | 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 |