29 killed in Greece train collision

A head-on collision between a passenger and freight train has occurred in Greece. 29 people were killed in the clash. At least 85 others were injured. Citing local media, Al Jazeera and CNN reported the information. The accident happened near Larisa late on Tuesday (February 28) local time.

Pictures from the country's state-owned TV ERT showed smoke billowing from the overturned train cars and a long line of rescue vehicles beside them. The footage also shows rescue workers with torches searching vehicles for survivors.

A passenger train carrying more than 350 people collided head-on with a freight train on Tuesday evening, Greek Fire Service spokesman Vassilis Varthkogiannis told a televised briefing. The accident happened shortly before midnight local time near the town of Larissa in the Tempi region of Greece.

Konstantinos Agorastos, governor of the Thessaly region, said it was not immediately known what caused the accident. However, he feared that the number of casualties may increase. Local media reported that there were at least 350 passengers in the passenger train.
Agorastos also said that around 250 people were rescued from the train unharmed. They were taken to Thessaloniki by bus.

A video captured by Sky News showed the wreckage of two train carriages strewn along the track. Rescuers are using powerful flashlights to see if anyone is trapped inside the wrecked compartment.

About 30 ambulances were dispatched to the scene, Onlarisa reported.

Konstantinos Agorastos says, 'The conflict was very strong. 4 coaches of the passenger train were derailed and the first two coaches were almost completely destroyed. He said, about twenty and a half passengers have been evacuated from the accident site.
Fire brigade spokesman Vassilis Varthkogiannis said in a televised briefing, "Due to the intensity of the conflict, the evacuation of passengers is going on under very difficult conditions. '