At least 20 dead, dozens hurt in Italy train wrecks
Two commuter trains slammed into each other head-on in southern Italy on Tuesday, killing at least 20 people and injuring dozens more, authorities said.
The four-car trains collided near the town of Andria in Puglia, where trains operate on single tracks.
Firefighters worked to extract bodies and wounded passengers from the twisted metal of the first cars on each train.
Giuseppe Corrado, deputy head of Andria Province, put the death toll at 20 but said a final count could not immediately be determined because of the extensive damage.
“Some of the cars are completely crumpled, and the rescuers are extracting people from the metal, many of them injured,” Andria Police Chief Riccardo Zingaro told Sky News.
Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi cut short a visit to Milan.
“Tears and sorrow for the victims and their families,” Renzi tweeted. “But also a lot of anger. We demand clarity on what has happened in Puglia this morning.”
Italian President Sergio Mattarella agreed, telling the Italian news agency ANSA, “Responsibilities and possible shortcomings must be immediately and precisely ascertained.”
Transport Minister Grazinao Delrio said the death toll was “evolving.”
He said that it was not clear what caused the crash and that a commission would be set up to investigate.
Corato Mayor Massimo Mazzilli said the collision looked as deadly as a plane crash.
Private regional rail company Ferrotramviaria, which operates the line, issued a statement saying the company “expresses condolences for the victims of the train crash this morning and participates in the pain of the families.”
More than 30 people were injured, several critically, according to ANSA. Three were taken by helicopter to a hospital in Barletta.
Scheduled surgeries were postponed, and off-duty medical staff were brought in to deal with the crisis.
Rescue workers set up a field hospital at the scene.
One of those rescued from the wreckage was a small child who was airlifted to a hospital, the BBC reported.
“Some of the cars are completely crumpled, and the rescuers are extracting people from the metal, many of them injured.” Police Chief Riccardo Zingaro