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Italy train crash: 'Twenty killed' near Bari in collision | |
(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. |
The emergency services have been trying to free passengers from the shattered carriages, near the town of Andria. | |
One of those pulled from the wreckage was a small child, who was airlifted to hospital. | |
The local authorities have appealed for blood donors to come forward. | |
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 Puglia. | 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 Puglia. |
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. |
'Worst scene of my life' | 'Worst scene of my life' |
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. |
"I saw dead people, others who were begging for help, people crying. The worst scene of my life," one policeman told journalists. | |
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. | "The situation is dramatic," Antonio Nunziante, from the local civil defence, told Ansa news agency. |
In total, about 200 were involved in the rescue operation, working in temperatures up to 40C (104F). | |
Prime Minister Matteo Renzi interrupted a trip to Milan and returned to Rome, after ordering an investigation into the crash. | |
"I want to express my condolences to the families and I have ordered, with no holding-back, [an inquiry] to find who is responsible," he said. | |
"I think we must have absolute clarity on this. We will not stop until we understand what happened." | |
Transport Minister Graziano Delrio was at the scene with ministry inspectors and local prosecutors to survey the wreckage. | |
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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 carriages fall into the gorge, killing 42 | April 1978: Two trains collide near a ravine next to Murazze Vado. Some of the carriages fall into the gorge, killing 42 |
Sources: Ansa, Corriere della Sera | 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 |