Head-on Train Crash in East Germany Kills 10 People

Anmerkung der Laut neuesten Nachrichten gibt es nur 10 Todesopfer, anders als im gesprochenen Text angegeben wird.

At least 10 people died and more than 20 were hurt when a freight train hit a passenger train head on in eastern Germany.

Wreckage was strewn by the tracks where the regional train derailed after colliding with freight wagons on Saturday night.

The two trains crashed at around 21:30 GMT in fog and freezing temperatures.

They were traveling about 50 miles per hour.

Arriving on the scene, the top government official from the region where the crash occurred said human error was suspected.

Saxony-Anhalt state premier Wolfgang Boehmer said a stoplight was probably missed by one of the trains.

Ambulance crews worked through the night to take victims to nearby hospitals in what was one of the country’s worst train accidents in recent years.

Eighteen people remain seriously injured and police say the death toll could rise.

Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed her sympathy in a statement for victims and their families.

German Transport Minister Peter Ramsauer also expressed his condolences while touring the site.

[Peter Ramsauer, German Transport Minister]:
„First of all I would like to express my condolences to the relatives of the victims, personally and in the name of the German government and especially the German Chancellor.”

He also thanked rescue teams who have been working non-stop since the accident occurred.

[Peter Ramsauer, German Transport Minister]:
„I also want to say thanks, as I did in person, and express my sincere gratitude to all the relief units.“

Ramsauer said that he did not want to speculate on the cause of the accident as the ongoing investigation will give the answers.

Foto: NTDTV