Newswire

Round-up of overseas rail accidents and incidents between January–March 2026

6 January – Australia: Freight derails near Port Augusta

At around 17.40 (local time), a freight derailed near Port Augusta, South Australia. There were no reportedinjuries. The incident led to the closure of the line and the closure of all freight routes running from Sydney to Perth, Melbourne to Perth, and Adelaide to Darwin. An investigation is under way.

14 January – Thailand: Passenger train derails after striking crane, 30 killed

A crane collapsed onto a passenger train in Sikhio, derailing it and causing a small fire. At least 30 people
were killed and 69 more were injured. The crane was working at the construction site of the Bangkok–Nong Khai high-speed rail network while ground-level traffic was still running.

18 January – Spain: Two passenger trains collide near Adamuz, killing 45

Two passenger trains collided near Adamuz, killing 45 people and injuring 292 more. The rear three carriages of an express had derailed on points and fouled the adjacent line, where they were struck by a train coming the other way. Early reports suggest a broken rail to be causal.

20 January – Spain: Driver killed as passenger train strikes falling retaining wall near Gelida

A passenger train struck debris from a retaining wall as it fell to the track near Gelida. The driver was killed and 37 people were injured. The incident occurred as heavy storms battered north-eastern Spain. The emergency services evacuated some of the injured to nearby hospitals.

21 January – USA: Freight derails on trestle bridge over Olalla Slough

At around 05.00 (local time), three locomotives and six wagons in a freight derailed on a trestle bridge over Olalla Slough, damaging the structure and blocking the line. There were no reported injuries and no dangerous goods involved although one of the locomotives started leaking diesel fuel.

22 January – Spain: Commuter train strikes crane near Cartagena, injuring four

Shortly after noon, a passenger train struck a crane near Cartagena, injuring four people. The train remained upright and did not derail. Later reports said
the crane was not connected to railway operations. An investigation is under way.

2 February – Germany: Conductor attacked
and killed during ticket inspection

A train conductor was repeatedly punched in the head by a passenger during a ticket inspection on a train in Kaiserslautern. Other passengers raised the alarm and provided first aid until the emergency responders arrived. The conductor died in hospital,
two days later. Police took the perpetrator into custody.

3 February – Poland: Freight derails in Jaroszowa Wola, weather the possible cause

An oil train derailed on a freight-only line in Jaroszowa
Wola. Several wagons left the embankment and some overturned. There were no reported injuries. The local police said that the most likely cause of the incident involved the impact of the cold temperatures on the overhead line equipment.

16 February – Switzerland: Five injured as passenger train strikes avalanche near Goppenstein

A passenger train derailed after striking an avalanche between Goppenstein and Hohtenn as it emerged from a tunnel. Several carriages were involved, with
five people injured as a result. Eight mountain rescuers, two ambulances and a helicopter were brought in to help evacuate the 29 passengers on board.

27 February – Italy: Tram derails in Milan,
killing two

A tram derailed and struck a building in Milan, killing two people, one of whom is thought to have been a pedestrian. Up to 40 more were injured, including the driver. The cause has yet to be determined, although some media sources suggest the tram went too fast round a curve.

1 March – Namibia: Passenger train derails on collapsed bridge, killing two

A passenger train derailed near Naute when the final span of a bridge collapsed beneath the train as it passed over. Two members of the train crew, including the driver, were killed. No passengers or other staff members were harmed. Early findings suggest the bridge had been washed away.

7 March – USA: Freight derails near Horseshoe Curve, Altoona

At around 12.03 (local time), a Norfolk Southern freight derailed near Horseshoe Curve in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Two locomotives and 17 empty wagons were involved. There were no reported injuries. Emergency crews were dispatched to assist with traffic control in the area. The Federal Railroad Administration has launched an investigation.

15 March – Pakistan: Collision in Sindh kills 1, injures 13

A passenger train struck a stationary freight train at Lakha Road station, near the Naushahro Feroze district of Sindh. At least one person was killed and 13 others were injured. Rail minister Hanif Abbasi has ordered a high-level inquiry to identify those responsible.

27 March – USA: Five killed in Mississippi crossing collision

Five people were killed when their van was struck by a train at Pump Branch Road open crossing in Stone County, Mississippi. The Mississippi Department of Transportation had previously said that barriers were to be supplied for the crossing, but added that it could take a year for them to be installed.

22 March – Bangladesh: Bus struck by train in Comilla, 12 killed

A bus was struck by a train at Padua Bazar crossing in Comilla City. At least 12 people were killed and 26 more were injured, 10 of whom required hospital treatment. The impact dragged the bus for a kilometre. Initial findings suggest the lack of road signals to be casual.

18 March – USA: Freight derailment in Texas blocks crossings, leads to ethanol leak

A freight derailed near the intersection of Highway 90 and Oak Bend Hospital in Richmond, Texas. More than 20 wagons came off, blocking level crossings and causing road closures. Ethanol was found to be leaking from five of the vehicles. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating.