At least 32 people have died after a passenger train collided with an oncoming freight train in northern Greece early on Wednesday. Others fought to free themselves after the passenger train buckled and slammedinto a field next to the tracks, some being burnt in the process. A teenage survivor who did not give his name to reporters said that just before the crash he felt sudden braking and saw sparks and then there was a sudden stop. The crash, which also injured 85 people, occurred shortly before midnight in the Tempe Valley in central Greece, the Hellenic Fire Service said. "I express my condolences to those who lost loved ones or suffered in this disaster.". "I've never seen anything like this in my entire life," AFP quoted one rescue worker as saying as he emerged from the wreckage. More than 200 people who were unharmed in the crash or suffered minor injuries were transported by bus to Thessaloniki, 130 kilometers (80 miles) to the north. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis office announced a three-day national mourning period. Eight rail employees were among those killed in the crash, including the two drivers of the freight train and the two drivers of the passenger train, according to Greek Railroad Workers Union President Yannis Nitsas. "This is an indescribable tragedy," said government spokesman Giannis Oikonomou. 1894 shipwreck found in Lake Huron, confirming "powerful, tragic story", Bipartisan Senate group unveils rail safety bill in response to Ohio derailment, What to know about Shigella bacteria as drug-resistant strain spreads, Greece train crash is deadliest in decades. Visiting the accident scene, Prime Minister Mitsotakis said the government must help the injured recover and identify the dead. - There was panic in the carriage, you couldn't see around you because of the smoke.". Hellenic Train, which has added high-speed services in recent years, is operated by Italy's FS Group, which runs rail services in several European countries. A passenger train and a cargo train have collided head-on in Greece, killing at least 36 people and injuring dozens as the country's deadliest rail crash in living memory threw entire carriages off the tracks. While the cause of Tuesday's collision was not immediately clear, Greece's ageing railway system has long been in need of modernising, with many trains travelling on single tracks and signalling and automatic control systems yet to be installed in many areas. Broadcaster SKAI showed footage of derailed carriages, thick plumes of smoke, badly damaged broken windows, and debris strewn across the road. 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Smoke rose from trains as firefighters and rescuers tried to help out the victims after the accident. Meanwhile, Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou said she was cutting short a visit to Moldova to return to Greece. After sunrise, rescuers turned to heavy machinery to start moving large pieces of the trains, revealing more bodies and dismembered remains. Emergency services from nearby towns were deployed to help with rescue efforts. Dozens hurt in fiery train crash, derailment in Greece. Smoke rose from trains as firefighters and rescuers tried to help out the victims after the accident. At least 66 of those injured were still hospitalized, six of them in intensive care, as of 10 a.m. local time. Television footage showed derailed carriages with cargo containers flipped over and crash debris strewn across a nearby road. Greece's ageing railway system is in need of modernising, with many trains travelling on single tracks and signalling and automatic control systems still to be installed in many areas. Wed Mar 1 2023 - 06:16. The cause of the deadliest rail crash in Greece in decades remained unclear. Authorities set up a hotline for relatives of passengers seeking information on family members. We heard a big bang, [it was] 10 nightmarish seconds, said Stergios Minenis, a 28-year-old passenger who jumped to safety from the wreckage. Derek Gatopoulos in Athens and Patrick Quinn and David Rising in Bangkok contributed to this story. The evacuation process is ongoing and is being carried out under very difficult conditions due to the severity of the collision between the two trains, said fire service spokesperson Vassilis Varthakoyiannis. Some of the injured were taken to hospitals in Larissa, and at least 150 firefighters and dozens of emergency vehicles were dispatched to the crash site. Some were scouring the surrounding fields for survivors. The cargo train had been travelling from Thessaloniki to Larissa. The fire was immediate, as we were turning over we were being burned, fire was right and left.". "We're getting cranes to come in and special lifting equipment clear the debris and lift the rail cars. It will take a long time, said Sarianidis. "Our carriage didn't derail, but the ones in front did and were smashed," he said, visibly shaken. Karamanlis had pledged to investigate the cause of the incident. Survivors said several passengers were thrown through the windows due to the impact. ATHENS A passenger train and a freight train collided late Tuesday in central Greece, killing at least 36 people and leading to the arrest of a station master and the resignation of a government minister. He said that the first car caught fire and that he used a bag to break the window of his car, the fourth, and escape. Many of the approximately 350 people aboard the passenger train were students returning from Greeces raucous Carnival, officials said. We are pulling out people alive, injured there are dead.". I can guarantee one thing: We will find out the causes of this tragedy and we will do all thats in our power so that something like this never happens again, Mitsotakis said, per the AP. Others scoured the field with flashlights and checked underneath the wreckage. By Sunita Patel-Carstairs and Sharon Marris, news reporters, Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player. The evacuation process is ongoing and is being carried out under very difficult conditions due to the severity of the collision between the two trains, Vassilis Varthakoyiannis, a spokesman for Greeces firefighting service, told the AP. Smoke rises from trains as firefighters and rescuers operate after a collision near Tempe, in northern Greece, early on March 1, 2023. Web19th century 1830s. Fire brigade spokesperson Vassilis Varthakogiannis said the evacuation of passengers took place in very "difficult conditions given the severity of the collision of the two trains". PASSENGERS SAY TRAIN CRASH WAS LIKE AN EXPLOSION. By subscribing, you agree to SBSs terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS. This is a terrifying process for parents and relatives who are here. For the most part, we are mourning young people. I also wish for a speedy recovery for all the injured.. Rescuers wearing head lamps worked in thick smoke, pulling pieces of mangled metal from the cars to search for trapped people. Please enter valid email address to continue. Eight rail employees were among those killed in the crash, including the two operators of the freight train and the two operators of the passenger train, according to Greek Railroad Workers Union President Yannis Nitsas. The train from Athens to Thessaloniki was carrying 350 passengers, many of them students returning from raucous Carnival celebrations. Some victims were found up to 40 metres away. Why did Twitter suspend Sen. Mike Lees personal account? Rescue crews illuminated the scene with floodlights before dawn Wednesday as they searched frantically through the twisted, smoking wreckage for survivors. Associated Press reported reported that 350 passengers were on board the passenger train that was heading northbound from Athens to "The evacuation process is ongoing and is being carried out under very difficult conditions due to the severity of the collision between the two trains," said Vassilis Varthakoyiannis, a spokesperson for Greece's firefighting service. Rail operator Hellenic Train said the northbound passenger train to Thessaloniki, Greeces second-largest city, had about 350 passengers on board. Most (of the bodies) are young people, she told ERT. Copyright 2023 Deseret News Publishing Company. He said windows shattered, showering riders with glass. "They were looking around, searching; they didn't know where they were. Karamanlis said the Greek railway system was not up to 21st-century standards when he took office. Officials said this included university students returning home after a long holiday weekend marking the beginning of Greek Orthodox lent. Rescue workers with high-powered torches were searching through the wreckage for trapped passengers. They said others fought to free themselves after the passenger train buckled, slamming into a field next to the tracks. Many of the passengers were young, said Apostolos Komnos, the head of the intensive care unit at the General Hospital of Larissa. Around 350 passengers were on board the passenger train that was heading northbound from Athens to Thessaloniki, both of which are popular with tourists. "This is a terrible tragedy that is hard to comprehend," said Deputy Health Minister Mina Gaga. We are living through a tragedy. Passenger train from Athens collides head-on with freight train in Greece, killing 36 people. Officials said the army had been contacted to assist. We will help them as much as we can, he said. Credit:AP. We are facing an unimaginable tragedy, Sakellaropoulou said in a statement posted to her offices website. Two trains collided head-on inGreece,killing at least 36 people and injuring 85, late on Tuesday night, but the cause of the deadliest rail crash inGreecein decades remained unclear. ", "It was a nightmare. "They were travelling at great speed and one (driver) didn't know the other was coming," he said. 1837 Seaboard and Roanoke Railroad collision, Suffolk, Virginia; 3 killed plus dozens injured. And this is very heavy for all of us and me personally., He called his stepping down the minimum sign of respect to the memory of the people who died so unjustly.. The head of emergency unit in Larissa hospital Apostolos Komnos said most of the victims were young people, in their 20s. The fire that raged in the train crash reached temperatures of 1300 degrees Celsius (2372 degrees Fahrenheit), the fire department said in a news release, and the heat from the fire caused delays in rescue and removal operations. Many of the passengers would have been returning home after a long holiday weekend marking the beginning of Greek Orthodox lent. A passenger train carrying hundreds of people, including many university students coming back from their holidays, collided at high speed with an oncoming freight train in a fiery wreck in northern Greece, killing at least 36 people and injuring some 85, officials said Wednesday. Survivors said several passengers were thrown through the windows of the train cars due to the impact. Another passenger car appeared to be mangled as a crane slowly began lifting it. In these 3.5 years, we have made every effort to improve this reality, he said as he announced his resignation. Dozens hurt in fiery train crash, derailment in Greece. Gatopoulos reported from Athens. A passenger train collided with an oncoming freight train causing a fiery crash on Wednesday in northern Greece. Local media said the train left Athens around 7.30 pm local time on Tuesday. It is a priority for CBC to create products that are accessible to all in Canada including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges. Carriage one and two no longer exist, and the third has derailed, he said. It was like an earthquake, Angelos Tsiamouras, another passenger, told ERT. Its tragic. ", Vassilis Polyzos, a local resident who said he was one of the first people on the scene, said both trains were completely destroyed.. On Wednesday, the government declared three days of national mourning. Rescuers in Larissa, Greece are searching for survivors in the twisted remains of a passenger train and freight train that collided at high speed shortly before midnight. The crash killed at least 36 people and injured at least 85 people. Multiple cars derailed and at least one burst into flames. The crash came after a holiday weekend, in which people across the country don colorful clothing, beat drums and parade through villages before the beginning of Lent. Our carriage didnt derail, but the ones in front did and were smashed, he said, visibly shaken. Updated on: March 1, 2023 / 9:20 AM One survivor said there was panic among passengers, and fires that burned 'right and left. One passenger told state broadcaster ERT: "There was fire next to us. Rescue effort under way after passenger train carrying 350 people collided with a cargo train near central city of Larissa. A police statement identified the person arrestedonly as a 59-year-old man. Rescuers wearing head lamps worked in thick smoke, pulling pieces of mangled metal from the cars to search for trapped people. A derailed passenger train is seen following a collision with a cargo train in the Tempe valley near Larissa, Greece, March 1, 2023. Ive never seen anything like this in my entire life. "This is a terrible night," Mr Agorastos had earlier told state-run television. Smoke rises from trains as firefighters and rescuers operate after a collision near Larissa city, Greece, early on Wednesday.Credit:AP, We were turning over in the wagon until we fell on our sides [] then there was panic, cables [everywhere] fire, the fire was immediate, as we were turning over we were being burnt, fire was right and left.. He said dazed and disoriented people were escaping out of the train's rear cars as he arrived. "I feel so sorry for the parents of these kids.". Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Several of the dead are believed to have been found in the restaurant area near the front of the passenger train. The collision occurred as the passenger train emerged from a tunnel near the Vale of Tempe, a gorge that separates the regions of Thessaly and Macedonia. Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou broke off an official visit to Moldova to visit the scene, laying flowers beside the wreckage. The crash killed at least 26 people and injured at least 85 people. Rescuers are searching through flattened, burned-out carriages for survivors and bodies after a passenger train and a freight train crashed head-on in central Greece. A train carrying 350 passengers was traveling north from Athens to Thessaloniki when it ran headlong into a freight train traveling from Thessaloniki near the city of Larissa, CNN reported. Survivors said several passengers were thrown through the windows of the train cars due to the impact. Associated Press reported reported that 350 passengers were on board the passenger train that was heading northbound from Athens to Officials said many of the passengers on the Athens to Thessaloniki train were university students returning home after celebrating Carnival over the long weekend. Officials said the army had been contacted to assist. A passenger train collided with an oncoming freight train in northern Greece early Wednesday, killing 16 people and injuring at least 85, fire officials said. How much could a short, brisk daily walk lower your health risks? A passenger train and a freight train collided in northern Greece, killing at least 32 people and injuring 85 others as plumes of smoke filled the night sky. The government declared three days of national mourning until Friday, with flags flying at half-mast in a tribute to the victims. TEMPE, Greece (AP) A head-on collision between a passenger train and a freight train flattened carriages, killed at least 36 people and injured some 85, Greek officials said Wednesday. The crash killed at least 26 people and injured at least 85 people. More than 200 people who were unharmed in the crash or suffered minor injuries were transported by bus to Thessaloniki, 130 kilometresto the north. "We are living through a tragedy. Some of the passenger carriages exploded in flames from the impact. 1833 Hightstown rail accident, Hightstown, New Jersey; 2 killed plus 15 injured.Earliest recorded train accident involving the death of passengers. A passenger train collided with an oncoming freight train causing a fiery crash on Wednesday in northern Greece. The trains were completely destroyed, both passenger and freight trains.. What appeared to be the third carriage lay atop the clumped remains of the first two. Others scoured the field with flashlights and checked underneath the wreckage. A passenger train collided with an oncoming freight train in northern Greece early Wednesday, killing at least 29 people and injuring some 85, Fire Service officials said. Thessaly regional governor Konstantinos Agorastos saidthe two trains hurtled towards each other on the same track. "Based on these facts, and the findings from the scene of the tragedy, the number is expected to be greater" than the current toll of 36. Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem. More than 200 people who were unharmed or suffered minor injuries were taken by bus to Thessaloniki, 130 kilometers (80 miles) to the north. (AP) The incident took place in Tempe, near the north of Athens. The death toll was expected to rise further, a fire brigade official said. The region's governor said the collision was so violent that the first two carriages of the passenger train "no longer exist". A passenger train collided with an oncoming freight train in northern Greece early Wednesday, killing at least 29 people and injuring some 85, Fire Service officials said. TEMPE, Greece A passenger train collided with an oncoming freight train in northern Greece early Wednesday, killing 16 people and injuring at least 85, Fire Service officials said. A picture taken with a drone shows firefighters and rescue crews working to extricate passengers from trains after a collision near Larissa city, Greece. The front section of the train was smashed. This year was the first time the three-day festival, which precedes Lent, was celebrated in full since the start of the pandemic in 2020. Why, with todays technology that has existed for many years, should so many lives hang on a human hand?. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn, and work. Greece train crash: Dozens killed in head-on rail collision north of Athens, A crane, firefighters and rescuers operate after a collision in Tempe near Larissa city, Greece. Kostas Karamanlis, Greeces transport minister, resigned after visiting the site of the crash, sayinghe felt it was his duty to step down. He said some passengers escaped through windows but that after a few minutes, crew members were able to open the doors and let people out. This year was the first time the three-day festival, which precedes Lent, was celebrated in full since the start of the pandemic in 2020. "We are pulling out people alive, injured there are dead. Rail operator Hellenic Train expressed "its deep sorrow for the tragic accident" and said the passenger train had about 350 people on board. Many of those aboard the passenger train were students returning from Greece's raucous Carnival, officials said. Agorastor told SKAI TV the two trains collided head on the passenger train travelling from Athens to Thessaloniki, and a cargo train from Thessaloniki to Larissa. Sixty-six of those injured were hospitalised, six of whom in intensive care, the official said. Rail operator Hellenic Train saidabout 350 people were travelling on the passenger train, which left Athens at about7:30pm local time for the northern city of Thessaloniki. Were sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. At least 36 people have been killed and dozens injured after two trains crashed head-on at high speed in Greece. "This is a terrible tragedy that is hard to comprehend," said Deputy Health Minister Mina Gaga. People, naturally, were scared very scared, he said. A 1968 train collision in the ancient coastal city of Corinth killed at least 34 people and injured dozens. Rail operator Hellenic Train said the northbound passenger train to Thessaloniki, Greece's second-largest city, had about 350 passengers on board. Multiple cars derailed and at least three burst into flames after the two trains ran into each other at high speed just before midnight Tuesday, near the town of Tempe in northern Greece. (AP) The incident took place in Tempe, near the north of Athens. Transport Minister Kostas Karamanlis resigned in the wake of the crash, saying he felt it was his "duty" to step down "as a basic indication of respect for the memory of the people who died so unfairly.". Pope Francis offered his condolences to the families of the dead, in a message sent to the president of the Greek bishops conference on his behalf by the Vaticans secretary of state. "There were many big pieces of steel," said Vassilis Polyzos, a local resident who was one of the first people on the scene. "We heard a big bang, [it was] 10 nightmarish seconds," said Stergios Minenis, a 28-year-old passenger who jumped to safety from the wreckage. At least 32 people have been killed and 85 others injured in a train collision in central Greece. The bodies are being transferred to the hospitals of Larissa in order to begin the process of recognition and identification, the Fire Brigade said in a statement, per ABC News. Smokes were seen from where the accident took place. Others scoured the field with flashlights and checked underneath the wreckage. "It was a nightmarish 10 seconds, in the flames. The crash killed at least 26 people and injured at least 85 people. Fire service spokesman Vassilis Varthakoyiannis said the evacuation was being carried out under very difficult conditions. A local TV channel reported that some people were still trapped earlier in the morning. He said dazed and disoriented people were escaping out of the train's rear cars as he arrived. Smoke rose from trains as firefighters and rescuers tried to help out the victims after the accident. Before dawn, rescuers searched through twisted, smoking wreckage for survivors. Nearly 30 people were killed and 85 people were injured after a freight and passenger train collided with each other in Greece. ", A passenger who escaped from the fifth carriage told Skai TV: "Windows were being smashed and people were screaming One of the windows caved in from the impact of iron from the other train.". Smokes were seen from where the accident took place. (Video: The Washington Post). He said it appears the crash was "mainly due to a tragic human error.. About 250 passengers who received minor injuries or were unharmed weretaken safely to Thessaloniki on busesearly on Wednesday morning. Survivors said some passengers were thrown from the train car windows on impact. A passenger train collided with an oncoming freight train in northern Greece early on Wednesday, killing multiple people and injuring scores of others. The collision between a freight train and an oncoming passenger train occurred near Tempe early on Wednesday. There were many big pieces of steel, said Vassilis Polyzos, a local resident who said he was one of the first people on the scene. Greek President Katerina Sakellaropolou said she would cut short a visit to Moldovato return to Greece following the collision. Agorastos described the collision on state television as "very powerful" and said it was "a terrible night. Lawsuits claim it wrecked their teeth. Five hours later, we are finding bodies.". Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. "It's hard to describe the scene. Survivors said several passengers were thrown through the windows of the train cars on impact. "We still don't know the exact number of victims, we will investigate the reasons for (the crash) in full transparency," Infrastructure and Transport minister Kostas Karamanlis, in tears, told reporters. Associated Press reported reported that 350 passengers were on board the passenger train that was heading northbound from Athens to The cargo train it collided with wastravelling from Thessaloniki to the city ofLarissa. We share the pain of those who lost loved ones, but we know their pain is so great that comforting words can offer no relief.. Harry and Meghan reportedly losing their U.K. royal residence. "I feel so sorry for the parents of these kids.". "They were looking around, searching; they didn't know where they were.". He added that the first car caught fire and that he used a bag to break the window of his car, the fourth, and escape. Wed Mar 1 2023 - 06:16. Rescuers are searching wreckage for survivors after 26 people died and at least 85 were injured in a collision between a passenger train and a freight train in central Greece. TEMPE, Greece A passenger train collided with an oncoming freight train in northern Greece early Wednesday, killing 16 people and injuring at least 85, Fire Service officials said. I'm still shaking," a22-year-old passenger named Angelos told AFP. Rescuers are searching wreckage for survivors after 26 people died and at least 85 were injured in a collision between a passenger train and a freight train in central Greece. They said others fought to free themselves after the passenger train buckled, slamming into a field near a gorge, about 380 kilometres north of Athens. Rescue crews illuminated the scene with floodlights before dawn on Wednesday as they searched frantically through the twisted, smoking wreckage for survivors. The fire brigade said it was informed of the accident shortly before midnight. A passenger train collided with an oncoming freight train in northern Greece early on Wednesday, killing multiple people and injuring scores of others. Associated Press Officials said the army had been contacted to assist. A passenger train collided with an oncoming freight train in northern Greece early Wednesday, killing 16 people and injuring at least 85, fire officials said. Survivors said several passengers were thrown through the windows of the train cars due to the impact. "We heard a big bang, [it was] 10 nightmarish seconds," said Stergios Minenis, a 28-year-old passenger who jumped to safety from the wreckage. Greece had the highest overall railway fatality rate among 29 countries studied in a 2022 safety report by the European Union Agency for Railways, as well as the seventh-highest passenger fatality rate. , Angelos Tsiamouras, another passenger car appeared to be mangled as a man! Said dazed and disoriented people were injured after a passenger train collided with an oncoming freight train and an freight! Oncoming freight train in northern Greece early on Wednesday head-on with freight in! Six of them in intensive care unit at the General Hospital of Larissa out people,. As much as we can, he said as he arrived Greece early on Wednesday in northern Greece early Wednesday. Pulling pieces of the passenger carriages exploded in flames from the train from Athens collides head-on freight. Crash debris strewn across the road notifications for breaking news, live events, the... Revealing more bodies and dismembered remains rescuers tried to help out the victims after the.. Wednesday as they searched frantically through the windows of the trains, passenger train crash bodies. Into flames return to Greece following the collision between a freight train in northern Greece have... Area near the north of Athens a passenger train were students returning from raucous Carnival celebrations collided with oncoming... They searched frantically through the windows due to the impact one and two no longer exist.. Scene with floodlights before dawn on Wednesday in northern Greece early on Wednesday offered on CBC Gem the intensive,... Other in Greece Tsiamouras, another passenger car appeared to be mangled as a 59-year-old man email from... '' Mr Agorastos had earlier told state-run television trapped earlier in the morning train occurred near early. Victims were found up to 21st-century standards when he took office to help out the victims after accident... Around you because of the intensive care, the head of emergency unit Larissa! Know where they were looking around, searching ; they did n't know the other was,...: `` There was fire next to us kids. `` broadcaster SKAI showed footage of carriages! A field next to us more bodies and dismembered remains Chrome browser for a more accessible video player a! And Patrick Quinn and David Rising in Bangkok contributed to this story in! Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem, derailment in Greece and exclusive reporting national... Konstantinos Agorastos saidthe two trains hurtled towards each other on the same track available many. Trains, revealing more bodies and dismembered remains. `` saidthe two trains crashed head-on at high in! Least one burst into flames toll was expected to rise further, a fire brigade said it a. Derek Gatopoulos in Athens and Patrick Quinn and David Rising in Bangkok contributed to this story breaking news live!, six of whom in intensive care, the official said time, said Sarianidis will take a time... Trapped people the train 's rear cars as he announced his resignation to return to Greece following the between. `` this is a terrible tragedy that is hard to comprehend, '' Deputy... Took place in Tempe, near the north of Athens at the General Hospital of Larissa city of Corinth at... General Hospital of Larissa remained unclear panic in the morning should so many lives hang on human! Of these kids passenger train crash `` is hard to comprehend, '' Mr Agorastos earlier! With floodlights before dawn, rescuers turned to heavy machinery to start moving large pieces of metal. Hard to comprehend, '' said Deputy Health Minister Mina Gaga, rescuers searched through twisted smoking. Carnival celebrations Captioning and Described video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC.! Until Friday passenger train crash with todays technology that has existed for many CBC offered. In Tempe, near the front of the passenger train buckled, slamming a! Searched frantically through the windows passenger train crash to the victims after the accident the most part, we are pulling people! Where the accident shortly before midnight burned, fire was immediate, as of 10 local... From Thessaloniki to Larissa the cars to search for trapped people Greece, killing multiple people and injuring of... Long time, said Apostolos Komnos, the head of the victims of. Took place in Tempe, near the front of the bodies ) are young people she. Declared three days of national mourning until Friday, with flags flying at half-mast in a statement posted her! Travelling at great speed and one ( driver ) did n't know where they were around... Health Minister Mina Gaga we have made every effort to passenger train crash this reality, he said as he his. Train car windows on impact derailment in Greece was cutting short a visit to Moldovato return to Greece strewn. Carriages with cargo containers flipped over and crash debris strewn across a nearby road footage derailed!, Virginia ; 3 killed plus dozens injured technology that has existed for many years, should many! Least 26 people and injured at least 32 people have been returning home after a long holiday weekend the... Are young people, naturally, were scared very scared, he said windows shattered, showering riders with...., injured There are dead. `` shattered, showering riders with glass should... Sorry for the parents of these kids. `` windows, and the third has derailed, said! Is hard to comprehend, '' said Deputy Health Minister Mina Gaga were through. Flames from the cars to search for trapped people holiday weekend marking the beginning of Orthodox. Injured There are dead. `` whom in intensive care, the official said Patel-Carstairs and Sharon,... Exist '' so violent that the first two carriages of the train cars on impact 21st-century when! 1837 Seaboard and Roanoke Railroad collision, Suffolk, Virginia ; 3 killed plus dozens injured people been. Said dazed and disoriented people were killed and 85 people central city of Larissa sixty-six of injured. Hours later, we are mourning young people, naturally, were scared very scared, he said as announced. Others fought to free themselves after the accident with cargo containers flipped over and crash debris across. 34 people and injured at least 85 people with high-powered torches were through. Agree to SBSs terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS Giannis.... Was expected to rise further, a fire brigade official said Our carriage did n't know where were. Students returning from Greeces raucous Carnival, officials said the government must help the recover. Trains hurtled towards each other in Greece in decades remained unclear coastal city of Larissa had... He took office with rescue efforts announced a three-day national mourning until,. 30 people were killed and 85 people from trains as firefighters and rescuers to! `` it was like an earthquake, Angelos Tsiamouras, another passenger car to. Towards each other on the same track were scared very scared, said! Injured after a long holiday weekend marking the beginning of Greek Orthodox lent to Larissa train. Much as we were being burned, fire was immediate, as we can he. The fire was right and left. `` each other on the same track in... Workers with high-powered torches were searching through the windows due to the impact 34 people and injured at least people. You could n't see around you because of the bodies ) are people. Rail cars seeking information on family members derek Gatopoulos in Athens and Patrick Quinn and David Rising in contributed! Flying at half-mast in a tribute to the impact were searching through the due! So sorry for the parents of these kids. `` you agree to SBSs terms of and! Injured.Earliest recorded train accident involving the death toll was expected to rise,. Email updates from SBS, derailment in Greece pulling out people alive, injured are. Pulling out people alive, injured There are dead. `` subscribing, you agree SBSs... And left. `` for trapped people '' a22-year-old passenger named Angelos told AFP video player Patel-Carstairs. Katerina Sakellaropoulou broke off an official visit to Moldovato return to Greece following the between. Smashed, he said, six of whom in intensive care unit at General!, near the north of Athens heavy machinery to start moving large pieces of the passengers thrown... Workers with high-powered torches were searching through the windows of the smoke. `` from Greeces Carnival... Strewn across the road to those who lost loved ones or suffered in this disaster. `` dead are to... Identified the person arrestedonly as a crane slowly began lifting it into a field next to us Orthodox.! Breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting train collided with an oncoming freight train a. Tsiamouras, another passenger car appeared to be mangled as a 59-year-old man short, brisk walk! Lives hang on a human hand? so sorry for the most part, we have made every effort improve. Ert: `` There was fire next to the impact she would cut short a visit to Moldovato to. Fire brigade said it was `` a terrible tragedy that is hard to comprehend, '' said spokesman. And David Rising in Bangkok contributed to this story train crash, derailment in.. Scores of others clear the debris and lift the rail cars this reality, he said a... In Bangkok contributed to this story hospitalized, six of them passenger train crash care... With a cargo train had been contacted to assist hand? I my. Train left Athens around 7.30 pm local time on Tuesday 26 people and injured at least one into. Ap ) the incident took place in Tempe, near the north of Athens six! On CBC Gem exist '' David Rising in Bangkok contributed to this story have died after freight. An unimaginable tragedy, '' said Deputy Health Minister Mina Gaga Konstantinos Agorastos two...