Newswire

Round-up of overseas rail accidents and incidents between October 2024 and January 2025.

2 October – Hong Kong

Lithium battery blaze injures one at
Yau Tong

A lithium battery in a portable fan caught fire after falling from a passenger’s bag on a commuter service at Yau Tong. Another passenger suffered minor burns to the torso as a result. The train was safely evacuated, and the fire was out by the time the emergency services arrived.

11 October – India

Passenger train strikes freight in loop at Kavaraipettai

A passenger train struck the rear of a freight standing on a loop at Kavaraipettai. Thirteen carriages were derailed and a fire started. Nineteen people were taken to the local hospital. Early reports say the passenger train had been travelling at 109 km/h, when it was routed into the loop.

13 October – Egypt

Locomotive strikes rear of passenger train, killing one

A locomotive struck the rear of a passenger train in Minya, Egypt, killing one person. A further 21 were taken to a local hospital for treatment, with 19 later discharged. Two carriages were derailed and fell into an adjacent watercourse. An investigation has been launched.

14 October – USA

Driver killed when commuter train strikes tree in New Jersey

In darkness, just after 06.00 (local time), a commuter train struck a fallen tree in a heavily wooded area near Roebling in Mansfield, New Jersey. The driver, who had 20 years’ driving experience, was killed. Twenty-three passengers were treated for minor injuries.

24 October – Norway

Driver killed when train strikes rockfall on Bjerka line

The Arctic Circle Express derailed after striking a rockfall across the line between Bjerka and Mo i Rana. The train driver was killed by the impact. Three people were taken to hospital for treatment to their injuries. The rockfall is reported to have come after a period of rainfall.

28 October – Turkey

Driver killed as train strikes mixer near Muş

The Van Lake Express, heading from Tatvan to Elazığ, struck a concrete pump and mixer being used for track maintenance at Muş. The driver was killed. Two other crew members were injured. Both were taken to hospital after receiving first aid at the scene. An investigation has been launched.

1 November – Serbia

Fourteen killed when concrete canopy collapses at Novi Sad station

A 35-metre concrete canopy at Novi Sad station collapsed, killing 14 people and seriously injuring three. Most, including a six-year-old child, had been sitting on benches beneath the structure. The station building was opened in 1964. It was renovated in 2023, and again during 2024.

2 November – Germany

Fire on passenger train in Ahrensfelde causes damage but no injury

A regional ‘S-Bahn’ service caught fire at Ahrensfelde, on the outskirts of Berlin. There were no reported injuries. The driver and an attendant promptly urged the five passengers to evacuate. Fire crews arrived quickly, but the train and station sustained significant damage.

6 November – USA

Freight off, spills diesel, in Washington State

A freight carrying potato goods derailed in Walla Walla County, Washington State. There were no reported injuries, but some 1,450 gallons of diesel were spilled from the refrigeration units on the wagons. A team of environmental experts were sent to the site to help contain the liquid.

8 November – France

Empty train strikes excavator on line between Bueil and Évreux

An empty coaching stock formation struck an excavator at the exit to Martinville Tunnel, on the line between Bueil and Évreux. The excavator driver sustained minor injuries. The line was blocked as a result. The excavator had slipped down the embankment from the road on which it was working.

20 November – USA

Three killed in Harvey level crossing collisions

A freight train struck a car on a level crossing in Harvey, Illinois. The three road vehicle occupants were all killed. Reports say the car had been driven round the lowered crossing gates and into the side of the train. An investigation has been launched.

26 November – Poland

Seven injured when train strikes lorry on crossing in Nowa Sucha

A passenger train struck a lorry on a level crossing in Nowa Sucha. The lorry had been driven onto the crossing as the barriers were coming down and the warning lights were flashing. Its driver escaped moments before the impact. Seven people on the train were reported injured.

7 December – Cuba

Freight trains collision in Sancti Spiritus

Two freight trains collided head-on beneath the Guayos Overpass, in Cabaiguán, Sancti Spíritus. There were no reported injuries, but significant damage was caused to both trains, one of which was carrying crude oil, which was partly spilled. Emergency teams worked to stem the flow and clear up the wreckage.

7 January – Bangladesh

Seven killed when train strikes bus in Gerda

The Madhumati Express struck a microbus at Gerda. The injured were taken to the Faridpur Medical College Hospital. The impact caused the bus to fall into a nearby ditch. Its cylinder exploded, killing three people at the scene. The injured were later transported to the hospital, where two more died.

3 January – USA

Maintenance vehicle derails and blocks line in Massachusetts

At around 05.00 (local time), a maintenance vehicle derailed between Dorchester and Quincy, Massachusetts. Trains were suspended for around two hours and replacement buses were deployed. The vehicle was re-railed and the line re-opened at 07.00 after a test train had been run through the section.

28 December – USA

Fire engine struck by ‘second train’ at crossing in Florida

A level crossing remained closed to road traffic after a freight had passed at Delray Beach in Florida. A fire engine drove round the barriers and was struck by a passenger train on the adjacent line. Three firefighters required hospital treatment. Twelve rail passengers were injured.