A passenger train has derailed after colliding with a truck in Russia’s southern Volgograd region, according to statements from authorities and videos from the scene.
The 20-carriage locomotive was en route from the city of Kazan in Russia’s Republic of Tatarstan to Sochi's Adler station when the incident occurred. Nine carriages derailed, Volgograd Region Governor Andrey Bocharov said in a statement. Some 813 passengers were on the train, he added.
According to official figures, a total of 30 people, including 12 children, have been taken to hospital. Over a hundred others are said to have suffered abrasions and bruises. There have been no reports of any deaths.
The truck driver survived but is reported to have sustained severe injuries to his head and legs.
The driver of the KAMAZ truck “grossly violated” traffic rules and drove onto a railway crossing in front of the approaching train despite a warning signal, Russian Railways claimed.
The train was traveling at 65kph and the driver applied the emergency brake but the collision was unavoidable, the statement added.
A criminal investigation into the incident has been launched.