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-36780649
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Italian PM Renzi visits Apulia train crash site | |
(about 13 hours later) | |
Italy's Prime Minister, Matteo Renzi, has visited the site where at least 25 people died in a head-on collision between two passenger trains. | Italy's Prime Minister, Matteo Renzi, has visited the site where at least 25 people died in a head-on collision between two passenger trains. |
Many more people are injured and some are in a critical condition. Local authorities have appealed for people to give blood. | Many more people are injured and some are in a critical condition. Local authorities have appealed for people to give blood. |
Mr Renzi has ordered an official investigation in to the crash, which happened on Tuesday morning. | Mr Renzi has ordered an official investigation in to the crash, which happened on Tuesday morning. |
The trains were on a single-track line between the towns of Bari and Barletta. | The trains were on a single-track line between the towns of Bari and Barletta. |
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. | |
Rescue workers from the emergency services have been trying to free passengers from the shattered carriages and one small child was pulled out and airlifted to hospital. | Rescue workers from the emergency services have been trying to free passengers from the shattered carriages and one small child was pulled out and airlifted to hospital. |
Mr Renzi said it was "a moment for tears". | Mr Renzi said it was "a moment for tears". |
He said: "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 want to express my condolences to the families and I have ordered, with no holding back, an inquiry to find who is responsible. |
"I think we must have absolute clarity on this. We will not stop until we understand what happened." | "I think we must have absolute clarity on this. We will not stop until we understand what happened." |
Italy's President Sergio Mattarella said the crash was "an unacceptable tragedy" and his "first thought" was with victims and their families. | Italy's President Sergio Mattarella said the crash was "an unacceptable tragedy" and his "first thought" was with victims and their families. |
The BBC's Dan Johnson reports from the scene: | The BBC's Dan Johnson reports from the scene: |
Under floodlights, heavy machinery is pulling pieces of wreckage from the line as rescue teams check for any more bodies. | Under floodlights, heavy machinery is pulling pieces of wreckage from the line as rescue teams check for any more bodies. |
It looks like the recovery effort will continue round the clock. | It looks like the recovery effort will continue round the clock. |
Even the army has been brought to the olive groves on this remote stretch of rural line. | Even the army has been brought to the olive groves on this remote stretch of rural line. |
From some of the carriages there is very little left that is recognisable - this was a powerful, sudden impact at high speed. | From some of the carriages there is very little left that is recognisable - this was a powerful, sudden impact at high speed. |
This line is privately run with a decent safety record. So the key question is how did two trains end up on the same piece of track speeding towards each other? | This line is privately run with a decent safety record. So the key question is how did two trains end up on the same piece of track speeding towards each other? |
Both trains had four carriages and some were so badly damaged by the crash that there was little left but debris. | Both trains had four carriages and some were so badly damaged by the crash that there was little left but debris. |
"I saw dead people, others who were begging for help, people crying. The worst scene of my life," one policeman told journalists. | "I saw dead people, others who were begging for help, people crying. The worst scene of my life," one policeman told journalists. |
Italian media reported that the first named victim was a 53-year-old policeman called Fulvio Schinzari, whose body was found by a fellow policeman who was helping the rescue services. | Italian media reported that the first named victim was a 53-year-old policeman called Fulvio Schinzari, whose body was found by a fellow policeman who was helping the rescue services. |
In total, about 200 were involved in the rescue operation, working in temperatures up to 40 degrees C (104 degrees F). | In total, about 200 were involved in the rescue operation, working in temperatures up to 40 degrees C (104 degrees F). |
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 |
Previous version
1
Next version