Greece train crash – latest: Death toll rises to 36 as survivors recall ‘earthquake-like’ explosion
At least 36 people were killed and 85 injured after a passenger train in Greece collided with an oncoming freight train on Tuesday night.
Officials said the incident took place near the city of Larissa, around 380km (235 miles) north of Athens.
While the circumstances of the crash remain unclear, multiple cars derailed and at least three burst into flames due to the collision.
"There were many big pieces of steel," said Vassilis Polyzos, a local resident who was one of the first people on the scene. "The trains were completely destroyed, both passenger and freight trains."
According to hospital authorities in the nearby city of Larissa, at least 25 people had serious injuries.
“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 spokesperson for Greece’s firefighting service was quoted as saying to Associated Press.
Key Points
At least 36 dead
85 injured
Three days of national mourning declared
Two trains crash near Larissa, north of Athens
Watch: Rescue crews search wreckage after freight and passenger trains collide in Greece
10:07 , Emily Atkinson
Collision so severe two carriages ‘just disappeared'
09:45 , Matt Mathers
The collision between two trains was so “severe” that the first two carriages of one “just disappeared”.
Marin Rigou, a journalist, told the BBC there was “nothing left” of the carriages following the smash.
“The rescue teams are trying to move the wreckages of the carriages from the tracks, but it’s very difficult,” she told the BBC.
“The collision was so severe that the two first carriages just disappeared.
“The mayor of the city near the incident said nothing has been left from the first two carriages.”
Greek president cuts short Moldova trip after train collision
09:25 , Matt Mathers
Greek president Katerina Sakellaropoulou said on Wednesday she was cutting short a visit to Moldova to return to Greece following a train collision in which officials said at least 36 people were killed.
"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 with Moldovan President Maia Sandu.
"I express my condolences to those who lost loved ones or suffered in this disaster. Even at this moment, a life-saving operation is going on to help those who are on this death train."
Her planned two-visit to Moldova began on Wednesday morning with a meeting with Sandu, and she had been due to hold meetings with parliamentary and government leaders.
Three days of national mourning declared
09:10 , Matt Mathers
Three days have national mourning have been declared following last night’s rail disaster, Greece’s prime minister has said.
All public celebrations have been cancelled and flags on public buildings will fly at half mast from today until Friday.
08:55 , Matt Mathers
Local media said the train left Athens around 7.30pm last night. The fire brigade said it was informed of the accident shortly before midnight. The cargo train had been travelling from Thessaloniki to Larissa.
In 1972, 19 people were killed when two trains collided head on outside Larissa.
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.
Police temporarily detain Larissa train master
08:39 , Matt Mathers
Police temporarily detained the station master in Larissa and had summoned witnesses for questioning, local media reports.
Hellenic Train in a statement expressed "its deep sorrow for the tragic accident."
Overnight, rescue workers were seen carrying torches in carriages looking for trapped passengers.
‘It was like an earthquake'
08:27 , Matt Mathers
One passenger who survived said the train crash was like an “earthquake”.
“It was like an earthquake,” Angelos Tsiamouras, told local media.
The two trains had been on the same track when they crashed into each other.
Emergency services search for survivors
08:26 , Matt Mathers
Emergency services continue to search for survivors following the train crash and are treating the injured.
"Our priority now is treating the injured, searching and finding missing people in the debris and offering psychological support to the relatives of the victims by psychologists who are heading to the Larissa city," government spokesman Giannis Oikonomou said.
It is understood there is an ongoing investigation by a prosecutor and police into what caused the accident.
Suvivor recalls ‘nightmarish’ crash
08:23 , Matt Mathers
Stergios Minenis, a 28-year-old passenger who jumped to safety from the wreckage, said the crash was "nightmarish" with a loud bang followed by fire.
"We were turning over in the wagon until we fell on our sides... there was panic," he said. "The fire was immediate, as we were turning over we were being burned, fire was right and left."
About 250 passengers out of a total of 350 were evacuated safely to Thessaloniki on buses.
Key details
08:21 , Matt Mathers
Passenger train, freight train collide at high speed, at night
Trains were travelling on the same track - regional governor
350 passengers were on train from Athens bound for Thessaloniki
Collided near Larissa, site of deadly rail disaster 50 years ago
At least 32 dead
85 injured
66 hospitalised
Train crash in pictures
08:18 , Matt Mathers
At least 32 dead and scores injured in head-on crash between two trains in central Greece
08:16 , Matt Mathers
At least 32 people were killed and 85 injured after a passenger train in Greece collided with an oncoming freight train on Tuesday night.
Officials said the incident took place near Tempe, a small town next to a valley where major highway and rail tunnels are located, around 380km (235 miles) north of Athens.
While the circumstances of the crash remain unclear, multiple cars derailed and at least three burst into flames due to the collision.
“There were many big pieces of steel,” said Vassilis Polyzos, a local resident who was one of the first people on the scene. “The trains were completely destroyed, both passenger and freight trains.”
Sravasti Dasgupta reports:
Train crash Greece: At least 32 dead and scores injured in head-on collision
08:12 , Matt Mathers
Good morning.
At least 32 people have been killed after two trains crashed near Athens in Greece.
We’ll have updates on this developing story throughout the morning.
