Dozens killed after passenger train, freight train collide in Greece

WORLD, March. 01 (YPA) – At least 32 people were killed and 85 injured after two trains collided head-on in Greece late on Tuesday night, the fire brigades said early Wednesday.

A spokesman for the fire brigades told reporters: “So far 26 people have been found dead. Fifty-five people have been injured and taken to hospitals,” he said, adding that rescue operations still ongoing.

The passenger train was passing between Greek cities Thessaloniki and Larissa when it collided with a freight train just before midnight.

The spokesman confirmed that the accident resulted in three vehicles derailing the tracks.

For its part, the public television channel “ART” said that the accident led to the burning of one of the passenger train cars, noting that the flames surrounded a number of passengers.

Large numbers of ambulance, rescue and rapid intervention teams participated in the rescue of the victims.

According to local news “Onlarissa” website, police units, 40 fire brigades and 30 ambulances rushed to the scene to rescue “dozens of wounded”.

The official news agency confirmed that fire brigades managed to contain the blaze overnight.

Greek Railways cancelled 16 train trips on Wednesday because of the  accident.

E.M