At least seven people have died after a highway bridge collapsed onto railway tracks in Russia, near the border with Ukraine. The tragic incident occurred late Saturday night in Bryansk, where the bridge fell on a moving passenger train, injuring at least 31 others.
Emergency services responded quickly, with fire and rescue teams working to locate anyone who might have been trapped on the train. The Russian Emergencies Ministry reported that several heavy trucks were also brought down by the collapse. Local officials confirmed that the train, which was traveling from Klimovo to Moscow, derailed when the bridge fell.
Moscow Railway suggested that the collapse was due to "illegal interference in transport operations," although further details have not been clarified. Local governor Alexander Bogomaz stated that two individuals, including a child, suffered serious injuries. All injured passengers have been transported to medical facilities in the Bryansk region.
In a related incident on Sunday morning, a second bridge collapsed in the Kursk region while a freight train was crossing it. Part of that train fell onto the road below, resulting in a fire and injuring the driver.
Images from the scene of the Bryansk collapse showed wrecked train cars and passengers helping each other escape the debris. The train was reportedly in the Vygonichsky district at the time of the incident, which took place about 100 kilometers from the Ukraine border.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the causes of the collapse. Additional emergency workers and equipment have been deployed to assist in the ongoing response efforts. Passengers from the affected train were evacuated and taken to a nearby station, where they will be able to continue their journey on a reserve train arranged by the railway service.