"Our carriage didn't derail, but the ones in front did and were smashed," he said, visibly shaken. 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. 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. A passenger train collided with a freight train in Greece just before midnight on Feb. 28, killing 29 and injuring at least 85 people, authorities say. In these 3.5 years, we have made every effort to improve this reality, he said as he announced his resignation. He said windows shattered, showering riders with glass. At least 16 people have been killed and dozens injured after a head-on collision between a passenger and cargo train in Greece. This year was the first time the festival, which precedes Lent, was celebrated in full since the start of the pandemic in 2020. Police took their names as they arrived, in an effort to track anyone who may be missing. One survivor said there was panic among passengers, and fires that burned 'right and left. Several of the dead are believed to have been found in the restaurant car near the front of the passenger train. 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. Police took their names as they arrived, in an effort to track anyone who might be missing. 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. 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. Rescue workers with high-powered torches were searching through the wreckage for trapped passengers. People, naturally, were scared very scared, he said. 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. Subscribe to our channel for the latest updates on Russias war in Ukraine. "They were travelling at great speed and one (driver) didn't know the other was coming," he said. "This is a terrible tragedy that is hard to comprehend," said Deputy Health Minister Mina Gaga. Our carriage didnt derail, but the ones in front did and were smashed, he said, visibly shaken. Multiple cars derailed and at least one burst into flames. At least 32 people are reported to have been killed and dozens injured after two trains collided in Greece. We are living through a tragedy. The collision was so violent that the first two carriages of the passenger train "no longer exist", he told Skai television. The trains crashed just before the Vale of Tempe, a gorge that separates the regions of Thessaly and Macedonia. This is a terrifying process for parents and relatives who are here. Around 350 passengers were on board the passenger train that was heading northbound from Athens to Thessaloniki, both of which are popular with tourists. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis office announced a three-day national mourning period. A man who was trying to ascertain the fate of his daughter, who was on the train, saying he had a harrowing phone conversation with her before she was cut off. Rail operator Hellenic Train said the northbound passenger train to Thessaloniki, Greece's second-largest city, had about 350 passengers on board. My head hit the roof of the carriage with the jolt," Stefanos Gogakos, who was in a rear car, told state broadcaster ERT. Credit:AP. According to the Italian company's website, it is the main provider of rail transport for passengers and freight in Greece and runs 342 passenger and commercial routes a day. The impact just before midnight Tuesday threw some passengers into ceilings and out the windows. Before dawn the next day, rescuers searched through twisted, smoking wreckage for survivors. Why did Twitter suspend Sen. Mike Lees personal account? "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," spokesperson Vassilis Vathrakogiannis said. He used a bag to break the window of his car, the fourth, and escape. 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. Workers also were seen on live broadcasts moving a body on a stretcher into an ambulance. First and foremost, our thoughts today are with the relatives of the victims. A passenger who escaped from the fifth carriage told the television network: "Windows were being smashed and people were screaming". Rail operator Hellenic Train said the northbound passenger train to Thessaloniki, Greeces second-largest city, had about 350 passengers on board. 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. By subscribing, you agree to SBSs terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS. 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. "I express my condolences to those who lost loved ones or suffered in this disaster.". Smokes were seen from where the accident took place. Survivors said several passengers were thrown through the windows of the train cars due to the impact. AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time), abc.net.au/news/passenger-train-freight-train-collide-central-greece/102038088. Rail operator Hellenic Train said the northbound passenger train to Thessaloniki, Greece's second-largest city, had about 350 passengers on board. The passenger train was carrying 342 travellers and 10 crew, while two crew were on the cargo train, according to Hellenic Train data. Unfortunately, I have to interrupt my visit in order to be close to my people, to support those who need it, she told a joint news conference in the Moldovan capital, Chisinau, alongside Moldovan President Maia Sandu. Most (of the bodies) are young people, she told ERT. Our country is experiencing an unspeakable tragedy, and we are all facing the huge question of why, he told journalists there, according to Kathimerini. 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. Please enter valid email address to continue. The collision was like a huge earthquake.". We are talking about an unspeakable tragedy. Rescue effort under way after passenger train carrying 350 people collided with a cargo train near central city of Larissa. Two carriages of train in 'nightmare' crash 'no longer exist' - follow live updates. There were many big pieces of steel, he 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. "We are living through a tragedy. 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 burned, fire was right and left.. There was a fire in the first cars and complete panic. The collision between a freight and passenger train occurred near Tempe, some 380 kilometres north of Athens, and resulted in the derailment of several train cars. The evacuation of victims was carried out under very difficult conditions due to the severity of the collision between the two trains, said Vassilis Varthakoyiannis, a spokesman for Greeces firefighting service. "I can guarantee one thing: We will find out the causes of this tragedy and we will do all that's in our power so that something like this never happens again," Mitsotakis said. We are living through a tragedy. "This is a terrible tragedy that is hard to comprehend," said Deputy Health Minister Mina Gaga. Greeces firefighting service said 57 people remained hospitalized late Wednesday, including six in intensive care. Were working to restore it. Ive never seen anything like this in my entire life. The cargo train had been travelling from Thessaloniki to Larissa. Tempe, Greece: A passenger train carrying hundreds of people collided at high speed with an oncoming freight train in a fiery wreck in northern Greece early on Wednesday, killing 32 people and injuring at least 85, officials said. "People, naturally, were scared - very scared," he said. Thessaly regional governor Konstantinos Agorastos saidthe two trains hurtled towards each other on the same track. Officials said the army had been contacted to assist. The government declared three days of national mourning, with flags flying at half-mast in a tribute to the victims. (AP) The incident took place in Tempe, near the north of Athens. 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. The collision between a freight train and an oncoming passenger train occurred near Tempe early on Wednesday. He said dazed and disoriented people were escaping out of the train's rear cars as he arrived. 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 consider it a necessary element of our democracy that the citizens of our country trust the political system. Several of the dead are believed to have been found in the restaurant area near the front of the passenger train. ", The regional governor added: "The front section of the train was smashed we're getting cranes to come in and special lifting equipment to clear the debris and lift the rail cars. Officials said many of the passengers on board the Athens to Thessaloniki train had been university students returning home after celebrating Carnival over the long weekend. Police in the nearby city of Larissa said they had arrested a 59-year-old station master, who has been charged with causing mass deaths through negligence and causing grievous bodily harm through negligence. By midafternoon, Transportation Minister Kostas Karamanlis had resigned. A 1968 train collision in the ancient coastal city of Corinth killed at least 34 people and injured dozens. Rescuers turned to heavy machinery to start moving large pieces of wreckage, revealing more bodies and dismembered remains. The train from Athens to Thessaloniki was carrying 350 passengers, many of them students returning from raucous Carnival celebrations. Two rail officials were being questioned by police but had not been detained. They did not release the mans name or the reason for the arrest, but the stationmaster is responsible for rail traffic on that stretch of the tracks. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis was to visit the scene later in the day. Smoke rises from trains as firefighters and rescuers operate after a collision near Tempe, in northern Greece, early on March 1, 2023. Rescuers wearing head lamps worked in thick smoke, pulling pieces of mangled metal from the cars to search for trapped people. ", Vassilis Polyzos, a local resident who said he was one of the first people on the scene, said both trains were completely destroyed.. Broadcaster SKAI showed footage of derailed carriages, thick plumes of smoke, badly damaged broken windows, and debris strewn across the road. After sunrise, rescuers turned to heavy machinery to start moving large pieces of the trains. Many of those aboard the passenger train were students returning from Greece's raucous Carnival, officials said. 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. Help keep family & friends informed by sharing this article, Marie has been charged with reprehensible crimes. TEMPE, Greece -- A passenger train carrying hundreds of people, including many university students returning home from holiday, collided at high speed with an oncoming freight train in a fiery wreck in northern Greece, killing 32 and injuring at least 85, officials said Wednesday. The fire brigade said it was informed of the accident shortly before midnight. This is his story of survival. Dozens hurt in fiery train crash, derailment in Greece. Fire Service Officials said 32 people were killed and at least 85 were injured. "Unfortunately, I have to interrupt my visit in order to be close to my people, to support those who need it," she told a jointnews conference in Chisinau with Moldovan President Maia Sandu. On Wednesday, the government declared three days of national mourning. This dental device was sold to fix patients' jaws. Smoke rose from trains as firefighters and rescuers tried to help out the victims after the accident. Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem. What appeared to be the third carriage lay atop the clumped remains of the first two. On Wednesday, rescuers turned to cranes and other heavy machinery to start moving large pieces of the trains, revealing more bodies and dismembered remains. Agorastos described the collision on state television as "very powerful" and said it was "a terrible night. I also wish for a speedy recovery for all the injured.. Visiting the accident scene, Prime Minister Mitsotakis said the government must help the injured recover and identify the dead. Wed Mar 1 2023 - 06:16. "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. After sunrise, they turned to heavy machinery that had been brought in to start moving large pieces of the trains. Sources: Hellenic Fire Service, Geodata.gov.gr. "Fortunately we were in the penultimate car and we got out alive. Five hours later, we are finding bodies.". Rescue crews illuminated the scene with floodlights before dawn on Wednesday as they searched frantically through the twisted, smoking wreckage for survivors. There was panic in the carriage, people were screaming, a young man who was evacuated to a nearby bridge told SKAI TV. Unfortunately, our efforts have not been sufficient to prevent such a bad incident. Sixty-six of those injured were hospitalised, six of whom in intensive care, the official said. Carriage one and two no longer exist, and the third has derailed, he said. Greek transport minister resigns after deadly crash between passenger train and freight train | CBC News Loaded. In the morning, cranes were lifting derailed carriages, as rescuers scoured through the wreckage. A teenage survivor who didn't give his name to reporters said that just before the crash, he felt a strong braking and saw sparks, then there was a sudden stop. A passenger train collided with an oncoming freight train in northern Greece early on Wednesday, killing multiple people and injuring scores of others. Railway safety in Greece has come under scrutiny in recent years, and the accident late Tuesday is the countrys deadliest, according to local media. There's debris flung all around the crash site.". A volunteer rescue worker told ERT those on the scene were "living through a tragedy". Hospital units used to treat burn victims had been alerted in the area and dozens of ambulances were involved in the rescue effort. An aerial view after a train collision in northern Greece that killed at least 32 people. A passenger train travelling from Athens to the northern city of Thessaloniki collided with a freight train outside Larissa just before midnight. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn, and work. 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