Did a Freight Train Derail After a Bridge Collapse in Russia?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Freight train derailed due to bridge collapse in Kursk.
- This incident occurred 24 hours after a passenger train derailment.
- Authorities are investigating potential sabotage as a cause.
- At least seven casualties reported in the Bryansk incident.
- Emergency teams were deployed to assist in rescue operations.
Kursk, June 1 (NationPress) A freight train locomotive along with three empty cars derailed on Sunday following the collapse of a railway bridge in the Zheleznogorsk district of the Kursk region in Russia, marking the second incident of this nature within just 24 hours.
The acting governor of the region, Alexander Khinshtein, reported that the collapse took place on the 48th kilometer of the Trosna-Kalinovka highway.
"Tonight, as the freight train was crossing the 48th km of the Trosna-Kalinovka highway in the Zheleznogorsk District, a bridge fell apart, causing part of the train to plunge onto the road beneath it," Khinshtein disclosed on his Telegram channel.
He further mentioned that the locomotive ignited, but emergency response teams from the Ministry of Emergency Situations promptly extinguished the fire. The remainder of the train remains stationed on the railway platform.
Initial reports indicate that one of the train's drivers suffered from leg injuries.
Authorities have suspended traffic on the road beneath the collapsed bridge as a safety measure.
This unfortunate incident follows a separate derailment late Saturday in the Bryansk region of Russia, where a passenger train derailed after another bridge collapse.
The passenger train was en route from Moscow to Klimov when it derailed in the Vygonichskyi district.
At least seven individuals lost their lives, and 69 others were injured during that crash, as confirmed by Bryansk Governor Alexander Bogomaz.
Reports indicate that the train's locomotive driver was among those who perished, according to Russian state media citing medical sources.
The Ministry of Emergency Situations stated that approximately 180 personnel were dispatched to the Bryansk site to aid in rescue operations and search for any remaining victims.
Authorities have suggested that "illegal interference" is likely to blame for the Bryansk derailment.
According to the Baza Telegram channel, which is known for its connections with Russian law enforcement and security services, initial findings hinted that the bridge may have been intentionally destroyed.
However, no solid evidence has been provided to back this assertion.
The Bryansk, Kursk, and Belgorod regions have frequently experienced cross-border shelling, drone attacks, and covert operations from Ukrainian territory since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.