Train hits collapsed bridge in Czech Republic, killing ten
From Wikinews, the free news source you can write!
Friday, August 8, 2008
- UK football club criticized by council for attempting to trademark city's bird
- CERN says repairs to LHC particle accelerator to cost US$21 million
- ETA chief arrested in southern France
- Scotland denies bail to terminally ill man convicted of Lockerbie bombing
- Nokia scales back prediction for global mobile phone sales
- Eurozone now officially in recession
- Wikinews Shorts: November 13, 2008
- BBC Radio Bristol presenter fired over 'racist' phone call
- Russia rejects latest US proposal on missile defense
- British oceanliner QE2 makes final journey home
An express train struck a collapsed motorway bridge in the Czech Republic, leaving 7 people dead and 64 injured. The EuroCity train, which was en route from Kraków, Poland to Prague, derailed after it collided while traveling at 134km/h (84mph).
According to Czech Railways spokesman Radek Joklik, "it probably hit part of a motorway bridge under construction which fell onto the track." It is believed that the bridge, which is near Studénka, may have fallen onto the train, crushing carriages below it.
The train, which was carrying 400 people, saw a derailment of its locomotive and first three passenger carriages.
Rescue operations are underway, with 16 fire brigades and 30 vehicles at the scene, which is 215 miles from Prague and close to the Polish border. Numerous ambulances and several helicopters are transporting the wounded to hospital.
Many of the passengers were traveling to a music festival in Pardubice. The toll of dead and injured could rise further as investigators release information.
[edit] Sources
- "10 dead in Czech rail crash". Radio Telefís Éireann, August 8, 2008
- "Ten Dead In Czech Train Smash". Sky News, August 8, 2008
- Mgr. Jan Kučera "Srážka vlaku EuroCity Comenius se spadlým mostem: 7 mrtvých, desítky zraněných, škoda na železnici 136 mil. Kč". Drážní inspekce, August 8, 2008
