Newswire

Round-up of overseas rail accidents and incidents between April and June 2025.

15 April – USA: Level crossing collision in Manassas

Just before 09.30 (local time), an Amtrak service struck a pick-up truck at the Bristow Road level crossing outside Manassas station. First responders were able to rescue the road vehicle driver, who had become trapped. They were taken to a local hospital for assessment and treatment. There were no reported on-train injuries.

18 April – Zimbabwe: Collision between tourist train and freight injures 18 staff near Gwanda

At around 06.30 (local time) on 18 April 2025, a luxury tourist train heading for Victoria Falls struck a freight train just outside Gwanda. Eighteen members of staff were injured and required hospital treatment. None are believed to be life-threatening. An investigation has been launched.

25 April – India: Light locomotive derails on Darjeeling line

A narrow-gauge diesel locomotive derailed and overturned on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. The incident occurred on a slope, near a curve. There were no injuries to either crew member, both of whom jumped to safety. The incident has raised questions about maintenance on the line, which is a Unesco World Heritage Site.

27 April – Germany: Train surfers fatally injured while riding roof of train in Berlin

Two people were killed while riding on the roof of a train in the Berlin suburbs. Their identities and the exact circumstances of the accident have not been disclosed. The S-Bahn suburban network was disrupted in the morning due to the consequent police operation.

4 May – Romania: 14 injured when trains collide at Constanta station

Two passenger trains collided at Constanta station. The incident occurred when a train being shunted struck another as it was preparing to depart. In all, 14 people were injured by the impact, five requiring hospital treatment. An investigation has been launched.

7 May – Japan: Knife attack in Tokyo subway station injures 2

A knife attack at a Tokyo subway station left two people injured during the evening rush. The suspect slashed a man in the head as he boarded a train. Another person suffered a cut finger as they and others seized the attacker. The suspect was arrested at the scene.

10 May – Cuba: Train carrying rum derails and catches fire in Matanzas

A freight train carrying alcohol barrels derailed on the outskirts of the Benavides community, near Paso del Medio in Matanzas. Four wagons were involved, one of which overturned and caught fire. There were no reported injuries. Firefighters were quickly deployed to quell the flames and cool the vehicles down.

11 May – USA: Buffer stop collision injures 5 at Norristown

At 09.45 (local time), a SEPTA service struck the buffer stops at Norristown, Pennsylvania. Four passengers and the driver were injured. There was no derailment. A spokesperson for SEPTA said: ‘We’re going to inspect the cars, track, and infrastructure.’ The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating.

12 May – UK: Power outage knocks out Tube network

A power failure stopped traffic on the London Underground, with the Bakerloo, Northern, Jubilee, and Elizabeth lines all affected. Transport for London said the issues had been caused by a short power cut. National Grid said the problems were a result of a fault on its transmission network in central London.

19 May – Switzerland: Locomotive strikes excavator in St Gallen, injuring two

Just before 02.00 (local time), a locomotive struck a rail excavator in St Gallen. A member of track staff and the locomotive driver sustained major injuries as a result. The causes are being investigated by the Swiss Accident Investigation Board.

24 May – Germany: 18 stabbed at Hamburg Central

In the early evening, a woman reportedly injured 18 people with a knife at Hamburg Central station. In the middle of a crowd in front of the train, she drew a knife and began stabbing those around her. She ran along the platform edge, trying to strike other people, before her arrest.

26 May – Germany: Lorry crashes onto line at Saarbrücken-Von der Heydt

At 05.45 (local time), a road traffic accident caused an articulated lorry to crash onto the track, damaging the overhead line equipment at Saarbrücken-Von der Heydt. The lorry driver, who sustained minor injuries, later reported that the trailer had encountered the crash barrier shortly before the incident.

30 May – France: Passenger train strikes object on line near Laon – three injured

On 30 May 2025, a passenger train struck an excavator clamp left on the line, causing it to derail and two of the train’s 12 carriages to catch fire. Three passengers sustained minor injuries. The remaining 22 passengers were given aid in a nearby gymnasium. An investigation has been launched to determine the exact circumstances of the accident.

11 July – USA: Freight derailment spills diesel fuel, starts fire in Salt Lake City

At 11.43, the diesel locomotive hauling a freight train derailed in Salt Lake City. A fire ensued, the locomotive’s fuel tank having ruptured during the incident. There were no reported injuries. The fire was quickly isolated, fire crews bringing the blaze under control within about 30 minutes.

20 June – India: Express strikes trolley on line near Semapur – staff member killed

Early on 20 June, a passenger train struck a maintenance trolley between Kadhagola and Semapur. The impact, which shattered the trolley, killed one member of staff and injured four more. An investigation into how the trolley came to be on an open line has been launched.

9 June – USA: Two freights derail in Wyoming – propane gas leak ensues

At least 15 wagons in two freight trains derailed near Walcott Junction in central Carbon County, Wyoming. There were no reported injuries, but at least three of the wagons were carrying dangerous goods, including propane. Early indications are that a wheel bearing failed on one of the tank wagons.