A passenger train derailed on Monday in southern Russia, injuring dozens of people, the country’s state-owned railway company said.
Russian Railways said the train — which was traveling through the Volgograd region — collided with a truck that drove into a railroad crossing at 12:35 local time. Eight passenger cars were thrown from the tracks, it added.
“The [truck] driver grossly violated traffic rules and entered the crossing in front of a nearby train when the signaling system was in good working order,” the company said in a separate statement later on Monday.
At least 55 people, including children and two staff, were hospitalized. Another 140 passengers suffered minor bruises and scrapes, Russian Railways said, adding that 803 people had been on board the train.
Images shared by local authorities showed carriages tipped on their side, passengers scrambling out of the damaged compartments and fire trucks at the scene.
Law enforcement officials launched a criminal investigation into the accident, which they are treating as a violation of traffic safety rules while operating a train.
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