Italian Authorities Investigate Fatal Train Crash in Northern Italy
August 31, 2023, 5:26 AM ET
ROME — Tragedy struck in Brandizzo, a town in Italy’s Piedmont region, as a speeding out-of-service train collided with a group of workers conducting nighttime track maintenance. Five workers lost their lives in the incident, according to Italian authorities.
The crash occurred shortly after midnight at a local station, prompting an immediate response from emergency services. Piedmont Governor Alberto Cirio confirmed the death toll and stated that the cause of the accident was currently under investigation.
Initial reports suggest that the train’s crew was unaware of the presence of workers on the tracks, as indicated by Brandizzo Mayor Paolo Bodoni. La Stampa, the primary newspaper in the Piedmont region, reported these findings.
State radio initially stated that the train was traveling at approximately 160 kilometers per hour (100 mph). However, a preliminary investigation conducted by railway police later revised this estimate to about 100 kilometers per hour (62 mph), as reported by Corriere della Sera newspaper.
The composition of the train involved in the crash included an engine car and 11 empty passenger cars, according to Corriere della Sera.
Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Matteo Salvini commented, “For sure there was a human error,” indicating that negligence may have played a role in the accident.
Paolo Bodoni echoed this sentiment, adding, “The first information reaching me refers to a scarcity of communication between the work team and those responsible for signaling the train’s passage, but we need to see what really happened.”
Two fortunate workers who managed to avoid the collision are currently receiving treatment for shock at a nearby hospital, as reported by La Stampa.
Various unions representing train maintenance workers have announced plans to stage a strike in protest of the crash and as a way to commemorate the victims, according to Italian media.
As investigations continue to determine the exact cause of this tragic incident, authorities and rail operators are expected to implement measures to prevent similar accidents in the future and ensure the safety of both workers and passengers.
Updates on the investigation will be provided as more information becomes available.