The Russian HSR train “Nevsky Express” running from Moscow to St. Petersburg with 668 people onboard has derailed at a point 280 km. short of St. Petersburg. Twenty-two people are reported dead and 54 injured, with authorities still trying to extricate people from the wreckage. Authorities are investigating a small crater underneath the tracks at the site of the derailment. A previous “Nevsky Express” was derailed on August 13th, 2007 by what Russian Authorities said was a bomb under the tracks.
UGLOVKA, Russia (AP) – Rescue workers sorted through the wreckage of a high-speed Russian train to search for more victims Saturday while investigators considered whether the derailment that killed at least 26 people was caused by a bomb on the tracks.
The Nevsky Express, an upscale line popular with Russian business executives and government officials, was carrying hundreds of passengers from Moscow to the northern city of St. Petersburg when its last three carriages went off the rails Friday night.
Authorities said Saturday they have opened a terrorism criminal inquiry. Police and prosecutors swarmed over the disaster site and restricted access to what was reported to be a possible bomb crater.
Witnesses told Channel One state television a bomb blast may have been the cause - which, if true, would make it Russia’s deadliest terrorist strike outside the volatile North Caucasus region in years.
“It was immensely scary. I think it was an act of terrorism because there was a bang,” said passenger Vitaly Rafikov. He was unhurt in the accident and helped with the rescue, hauling victims from the wreckage and lighting fires for warmth.
Reports on the death toll varied.
Health Minister Tatyana Golikova said at least 26 people were killed, 18 were missing and nearly 100 were injured and hospitalized in the derailment. The Prosecutor General’s office said the death toll had risen to 30, with 60 others in the hospital.
President Dmitry Medvedev called for calm, saying "we need there to be no chaos, because the situation is tense as it i
And we think we have security issues.
Yep I have ridden that train many times. In my time it was called the “Red Star Express” & would depart St. Pete & Moscow at midnite & arrive in either St. Pete or Moscow at 0600 hours the following morning. The lead loco actually had a red star on the front of it. it was supposedly one of the “premeir” trains in Russia during the time I rode it
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091128/ap_on_re_eu/eu_russia_train_derailed
Report is that a 15 pound IED was used.
How very sad!
The pictures show only a small creater located between the rails. It looks like it was suppose to lift the car off the tracks as it passed over it or spread the gage. It’s kind of scary to think that such a “small” device can cause such a mess.
The Krasny Strela still runs, along with the Nevsky. Where the Nevsky is a high speed train, the KS continues to use older equipment and uses the overnight slot. My wife and I shared a sleeping compartment on our way to our honeymoon in Pietr.
I wonder why the ‘popular press’ always blames railroad mishaps on “derailments”. Methinks a terrorist act (IED, in this case) should be reported as such: a “Terrorist Act”. Of course, the press is oblivious to railway operations, etc., and sympathetetic with the terrorists, “Poor, misunderstood babies”.
BTW, love the surfing cat!
Hays
The high-speed-trains officially entered service today. They run from Moscow to St. Petersburg in 3hours 45 minutes, that is 45 min. less than before. They run only three times a day. Top-speed is 155 mph, tickets cost the equivalent of 180 US$. Trains are from Siemens, German manufacturer. Similar trains will be delivered for Moscow-Nischni Nowgorod-service. A high-speed-train rescued the passengers ot the Newski-express which derailed because of a terrorist attack.
If the distance is about 400 miles, that’s a pretty good sustained speed - 107 mph. Just think if some comparable distance runs in the US (CHI - MSP; WASH - CHARL) could manage in under 4 hours?
I too got to ride that train back in 1983. I remember seeing armed soldiers or police at one of the station stops during the night. I thought that was a big deal.
To make it clear the Nevsky Express is NOT a HIGH SPEED TRAIN it has normal cars able to run 200km/h (125mph) which is not called high speed. High Speed is considered 250km/h (155mph) and above. This service started on Dec. 18, 2009 with the introduction of the Siemens built Velaro Rus trains. These trains are a derivate of the German ICE3 which is in regular operation in Germany since 2000 at regular speeds of 300km/h (186mph). Another derivate of these trains runs on the 640km (397miles) stretch between Barcelona and Madrid in only 2:30h downtown/downtown. The introduction of this service was able to reduce the air link by about 60% so far. Velaro E in Lisbon