Greece: a train accident leaves 26 dead and 85 injured

TEMPE, Greece (AP) — A passenger train collided head-on with a freight train in northern Greece on Wednesday, killing 26 people and injuring at least 85 others, firefighters said.

The collision happened near Tempe, about 235 miles (380 kilometers) north of Athens, and derailed several railcars. At least three of the cars caught fire.

Officials at a hospital in the nearby town of Larissa said at least 25 people were seriously injured.

“The evacuation process is underway and it is taking place in very difficult conditions due to the seriousness of the collision between the two trains,” said Vassilis Varthakoyiannis, spokesman for the fire department.

Hospital units dealing with severe burns were alerted in the region, said the spokesman, adding that dozens of ambulances were involved in the rescue.

Rescuers worked through thick smoke to remove twisted pieces of metal from cars, searching for trapped people.

Passengers with minor injuries or no injuries were taken by bus to the city of Thessaloniki, 130 kilometers (80 miles) north of the incident.

After getting off one of the buses, a teenager who declined to be identified by name told Greek reporters that shortly before the crash he felt hard braking and saw sparks flying, then the train suddenly stopped.

“Our car did not derail, but those in front did, and they were destroyed,” he said, visibly shaken.

He said the first carriage caught fire and he escaped using a backpack to smash a window of the carriage he was traveling in, the fourth.

“It was a very strong fall. It’s a terrible night… It’s hard to describe the scene,” Costas Agorastos, governor of the Thessaly region, told state television.

“The front part of the train has been destroyed… We are bringing cranes and special equipment to remove the rubble and lift the wagons. There is debris strewn all over the crash site,” he added.

Government officials said the military had been called in to help with the rescue.

Rail operator Hellenic Train said the passenger train from Athens to the northern city of Thessaloniki had around 350 passengers on board when the accident happened.

___ Gatopoulos brought back from Athens.