Europe News

13 killed, dozens injured as freight train explodes (Roundup)

Jun 30, 2009, 7:28 GMT

Viareggio, Italy - At least 13 people were killed and dozens others injured after a freight train derailed and two railway cars filled with liquid gas exploded in the Tuscan port city of Viareggio early Tuesday, police said.

A general view showing emergency workers at the scene of a freight train which was carrying gas after it derailed and exploded in the northern Italian town of Viareggio, Italy on 30 June 2009. At least 15 people were killed and 50 injured, seven of the victims died when the wagons jumped the tracks and crashed into several homes, police said. Several of the victims died when their houses collapsed. There are fears some people may be trapped under the rubble. Officials say there is still a risk that other gas tanks could explode. EPA/CARLO FERRARO Fire officials said the gas tankers derailed and exploded shortly after midnight. The flames spread rapidly to engulf a nearby road and 10 houses. Witnesses said the explosion was 'like a bomb.' At least 35 people suffered serious burns. 'Almost everyone in the town heard the blast,' Viareggio Mayor Luca Lunardini told television news channel Sky TG24 He said at least two apartment blocks collapsed with the force of the explosion. Firefighters combing the vicinity found one child still alive in the rubble. As many as 300 firefighters were involved in the rescue efforts, officials said, noting that the death toll could rise. Their search was being made more difficult by the threat that other derailed gas tankers could explode. Around 1,000 people where evacuated from the area. Some are being sheltered in several tents erected on a square in front of the town's municipality, Lunardini said. Officials said they have yet to determine the cause of the accident. The Italian state railway company said no trains had collided, but said material fatigue in the exploded tanker was a possible cause. The explosion occurred after a 14-car train coming from La Spezia on its way to Pisa passed through the station.

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