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Italy Apulia train crash probe focuses on alert system | Italy Apulia train crash probe focuses on alert system |
(1 day later) | |
The investigation into Tuesday's head-on train crash in southern Italy that killed 23 people is focusing on the antiquated alert system on the line. | |
They are looking into one of the black boxes recovered at the scene of the collision, on a remote single-track line north of the city of Bari. | They are looking into one of the black boxes recovered at the scene of the collision, on a remote single-track line north of the city of Bari. |
The system relied on telephone calls and "human error" remains the main line of inquiry, reports say. | The system relied on telephone calls and "human error" remains the main line of inquiry, reports say. |
Dozens of rescue workers are still searching the wreckage. | Dozens of rescue workers are still searching the wreckage. |
The inquiry is focusing on the lack of automatic signalling system on a small part of the Italian railway network. | The inquiry is focusing on the lack of automatic signalling system on a small part of the Italian railway network. |
The stretch of track between the towns of Andria and Corato in the southern region of Apulia where the crash happened did not have an automatic alert or brake system. | The stretch of track between the towns of Andria and Corato in the southern region of Apulia where the crash happened did not have an automatic alert or brake system. |
It relies on station masters phoning one another to advise of trains running on the single track. | It relies on station masters phoning one another to advise of trains running on the single track. |
"Surely one of the two trains shouldn't have been there," railway police Cdr Giancarlo Conticchio is quoted as saying by the Associated Press news agency. | "Surely one of the two trains shouldn't have been there," railway police Cdr Giancarlo Conticchio is quoted as saying by the Associated Press news agency. |
"And surely there was an error. We need to determine the cause of the error," Mr Conticchio said. | "And surely there was an error. We need to determine the cause of the error," Mr Conticchio said. |
The collision took place in good weather at 11:30 local time (09:30 GMT) as the trains were travelling at high speed between the towns of Bari and Barletta. | The collision took place in good weather at 11:30 local time (09:30 GMT) as the trains were travelling at high speed between the towns of Bari and Barletta. |
Both trains had four carriages. | Both trains had four carriages. |
Local officials said it was difficult to say how many people were on board the train at the time as there was no list. | Local officials said it was difficult to say how many people were on board the train at the time as there was no list. |
Fifteen people are being treated in hospital for their injuries, and some of them remain in a critical condition. Officials initially put the number of dead at 27 but local authorities said later that 23 people had been killed. | |
Most passengers had no warning of the impending disaster which one witness compared to a plane crash. | Most passengers had no warning of the impending disaster which one witness compared to a plane crash. |
One woman, eight months pregnant, described the moment of impact,. | One woman, eight months pregnant, described the moment of impact,. |
"I was thrown forward, I don't know what happened, it all happened so quickly. I saw my mother on the ground, my father and my sister bleeding. The people on the train helped us." | "I was thrown forward, I don't know what happened, it all happened so quickly. I saw my mother on the ground, my father and my sister bleeding. The people on the train helped us." |
One elderly man said he was knocked to the ground, while his wife described how she came across body parts as she freed him. | One elderly man said he was knocked to the ground, while his wife described how she came across body parts as she freed him. |
"I pulled him from under the debris, myself barefoot, from under the debris and metal," she told local TV. "I went to my husband screaming. I pulled him by the legs and feet. I climbed past people in pieces, how sad. There was nothing I could do."' | "I pulled him from under the debris, myself barefoot, from under the debris and metal," she told local TV. "I went to my husband screaming. I pulled him by the legs and feet. I climbed past people in pieces, how sad. There was nothing I could do."' |
Cranes and heavy lifting equipment have been clearing the wreckage. The army is helping the operation. | Cranes and heavy lifting equipment have been clearing the wreckage. The army is helping the operation. |
Relatives of the victims are going to the mortuary in Bari to help to identify the dead. | Relatives of the victims are going to the mortuary in Bari to help to identify the dead. |
Italian PM Matteo Renzi visited the site on Tuesday and promised a full investigation. He described the death toll as unacceptable. | Italian PM Matteo Renzi visited the site on Tuesday and promised a full investigation. He described the death toll as unacceptable. |
Italy's deadly train accidents | Italy's deadly train accidents |
November 2012: Six people believed to be Romanian farm workers are killed after a van they were travelling in is struck by a train as it crosses railway tracks in Calabria | November 2012: Six people believed to be Romanian farm workers are killed after a van they were travelling in is struck by a train as it crosses railway tracks in Calabria |
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 |