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 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| 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 |