Komi Republic, Russia – June 26, 2024: A passenger train traveling from Vorkuta, above the Arctic Circle, to the southern port of Novorossiysk derailed near the small town of Inta in Russia’s Far North, injuring at least 20 people, according to local authorities.
The accident occurred on Wednesday in the scarcely populated and harshly climated republic of Komi. Vladimir Uyba, the head of the Komi Republic, reported that 215 passengers were onboard when the incident took place.
“20 people were injured, three in a serious condition,” Uyba stated. He added that the last five carriages of the train had derailed, although the cause of the accident was not immediately clear. Uyba announced his immediate departure to the accident site to oversee the situation.
Russian state media shared images showing several train carriages lying on their sides in a ditch bordered by a dense forest. These visuals underscored the severity of the derailment and the challenging terrain surrounding the crash site.
The Vorkuta-Novorossiysk train journey spans almost five days, traversing a significant portion of Russia’s expansive territory. This route, covering vast distances, highlights the extensive reach of the Russian rail network, which is the largest in the world.
Despite the extensive rail infrastructure, transport accidents, particularly rail-related ones, are relatively infrequent in Russia.
However, the country has seen an uptick in such incidents since Moscow launched its military offensive in Ukraine, with acts of sabotage becoming more common on the railways used by the Russian army to transport military equipment.
The small town of Inta, where the derailment occurred, is known for its extreme weather conditions and sparse population, adding to the complexities of rescue and recovery efforts.
Emergency services were promptly dispatched to the scene to assist the injured and begin preliminary investigations into the cause of the derailment. Passengers described the moments leading up to the derailment as chaotic and frightening.
“We suddenly felt a massive jolt, and then everything turned upside down,” recounted one of the passengers, who was among the injured. The swift response of the emergency teams was crucial in managing the situation and providing immediate medical assistance to those hurt.
The Russian government has been under pressure to enhance the safety and security of its vast transportation network, particularly in light of the recent sabotage acts.
This derailment, occurring in such a remote and challenging area, underscores the need for heightened vigilance and improved safety measures across the rail system.
As authorities work to determine the exact cause of the accident, the focus remains on providing care for the injured and ensuring the safety of all passengers.
The incident has also raised concerns about the maintenance and security of rail lines in remote regions of the country. Vladimir Uyba’s presence at the scene reflects the seriousness with which local authorities are treating the incident.
As the investigation continues, more details are expected to emerge, shedding light on what led to this unfortunate event and what steps will be taken to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
For now, the priority remains the well-being of the injured passengers and the swift restoration of normal rail services in the affected area.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members