The Most Deadly Train Disasters in Europe Since 2000

AFP/APP

Paris: The collision late on Sunday between two high-speed trains in southern Spain, which has killed at least 39 people, is the sixth worst rail accident in Europe since 2000. More than 120 were also injured, and Spain’s transport minister warned that the toll could still rise.

A recap of the others:

2013: Spain – 80 killed

On July 24, a train with 222 people on board derailed near Santiago de Compostela in northwest Spain, killing 80 passengers and injuring more than 140, marking Spain’s worst train accident since 1944.

An inquiry found that the train was travelling at twice the speed limit for that stretch, and the crash resulted from a lapse in attention by the driver, who had ended a phone call with the on-board conductor just moments before the train left the rails.

A driver and a safety director were sentenced in 2024 to two-and-a-half years in prison over the crash.

2023: Greece – 57 killed

At least 57 people were killed and 180 injured after two trains collided near Larissa on February 28, before midnight.

The casualties were mostly young students returning from a long weekend. The two trains had been allowed to run on the same track for 19 minutes.

The trial of 36 people, including railway executives and the stationmaster on duty, will open on March 23 next year. They face charges including involuntary manslaughter and negligence, with sentences of up to 20 years in prison.

2006: Montenegro – 47 killed

On January 23, a train plunged into a canyon of the River Moraca, 15 km north of Montenegro’s capital Podgorica, killing 47 passengers and injuring 234.

The driver was found guilty of failing to activate the brake mechanism at a train stop.

2010: Ukraine – 45 killed

On October 12, 45 people were killed in a collision between a train and a bus in Marganets, eastern-central Ukraine.

Ukrainian authorities blamed the bus driver, who ignored a red light and entered the crossing; the driver was killed in the accident.

2004: Turkey – 41 killed

On July 22, 41 people were killed and 80 injured after a high-speed train derailed in the northwestern province of Sakarya, marking Turkey’s worst rail disaster in recent history.

Read More: https://thepenpk.com/the-death-train/