A serious train collision occurred on December 18, 2024, involving passenger train № 11, traveling from Murmansk to St. Petersburg, and freight cars at Knyazha station, located within Murmansk Oblast, Russia. The incident took place around 16:15 local time.
Initial reports indicate at least 14 passengers sustained injuries, with four of them, including one train attendant, classified as being in serious condition. One individual was reportedly trapped inside one of the affected carriages, necessitating urgent rescue operations.
According to Russian Railways (RZD), the collision resulted from the freight train's power receiver malfunctioning. This led to it derailing and rolling onto the track of the approaching passenger train. Consequently, three cars from the passenger train went off the rails during the side collision.
Governor Andrey Chibis of Murmansk Oblast remarked on social media, "All details of what happened are being clarified. The situation is under my personal control." Local emergency services were deployed rapidly, including seven ambulance crews, to manage the incident and assist the injured.
Reports indicate the presence of 326 passengers aboard the passenger train at the time of the wreck. Many passengers faced exposure to the severe cold conditions, with temperatures plummeting to around -24 degrees Celsius as they waited for help.
Following the collision, restoration and recovery trains were sent from the nearby stations of Kandalaksha and Kem to help manage the aftermath. Witness accounts revealed confusion and panic as passengers disembarked, seeking immediate safety and medical attention.
The collision has drawn the attention of local and national authorities, and the Western Interregional Investigation Department of the Russian Transport Investigation Committee has opened a criminal case concerning violations of railway safety regulations. Investigators are examining several potential causes, including human error or equipment malfunction.
Later explanations from officials noted the freight train's technical failure and subsequent actions leading to the tragic event. Investigators are considering factors such as possible freezing of brake components due to extreme temperatures—an issue endemic to railway systems operating under such frigid conditions.
Emergency teams are executing comprehensive rescue operations on-site, with updates on the condition of the injured regularly being shared with the public. The Ministry of Health continues to coordinate healthcare assistance to those affected, ensuring timely interventions.
Calls for enhanced safety protocols within the railway system have resurfaced following the accident, invoking scrutiny of existing measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring again. Authorities meanwhile reaffirm their commitment to fully investigate and remedy the incident's underlying causes.
The developments surrounding this tragic accident remain under close monitoring, with government officials promising to uphold accountability and prioritize passenger safety. Emergency services remain on alert as updates on the situation continue to emerge.
Efforts are underway to transport the remaining passengers to warmer shelters, with buses organized to facilitate their relocation. The continuity of rail service along the affected routes has been suspended indefinitely as safety assessments proceed.
It is expected the investigative bodies will provide more detailed findings as they ascertain the incident's full scope and consequences stemming from the collision. Residents and relatives of the injured are seeking clarity and resolution after this alarming event.
The incident at Knyazha station is one of the latest in a series of accidents raising concerns about railway safety and operational integrity across Russia's vast transportation network.
