In the Murmansk region, a double-decker passenger train No. 11 "Murmansk — St. Petersburg" collided with a freight train at the Knyazhaya station.
As a result of the accident, 4 passenger cars and several freight cars derailed. 14 people were injured, three of them are in serious condition. One passenger is trapped in a car, and rescue operations are underway. There were a total of 326 passengers on the train.
Rescuers, medics, and law enforcement agencies are working at the scene. Recovery trains from the Kandalaksha and Kem stations have been dispatched to deal with the aftermath. The injured are being evacuated to the Kandalaksha Central District Hospital, and a helicopter from the territorial center of disaster medicine has been sent to them.
Passengers in undamaged cars have been moved to available seats, and the train will continue on its route. The Investigative Committee has opened a criminal case under the article on violation of railway transport safety rules. The causes of the accident are being established. The insurance company SOGAZ is ready to pay compensation to the injured passengers.
Train No. 11 Murmansk — St. Petersburg departed from Murmansk at 10:10 on Wednesday and was scheduled to arrive at its destination at 10:09 on Thursday. The total length of the route is 1439 km.
The Interfax agency, citing operational services, reports that the cause could be human error or technical malfunction. The freight train may have had brake failure. There could also have been a failure of the traffic control system and icing of equipment.
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