Semnan–Damghan train collision explained

Train collision in Semnan–Damghan
Pushpin Map:Iran
Pushpin Map Caption:Location of the collision in Iran
Coordinates:35.6333°N 54.0428°W
Date:25 November 2016
Location:Damghan
Country:Iran
Trains:2
Passengers:542
Deaths:49
Injuries:103

Two trains collided on the main line in Semnan Province between Semnan and Damghan, Iran, on 25 November 2016, resulting in 49 deaths and 103 injuries.[1] There were reported difficulties with the rescue operation due to the incident's remote location 4 km from the nearest station, Haft-Khan,[2] and because only one helicopter could reach the scene immediately to join the rescue operation.[3] It was the deadliest rail disaster in Iran since the Nishapur train disaster in 2004.

Accident

The accident happened when an express train going from Tabriz to Mashhad stopped because of technical problems associated with cold weather between Semnan and Damghan. The second express train, which was travelling from Semnan to Mashhad on the same track, was ordered to stop by the dispatcher, and the signals turned red. The shift for the dispatcher changed before the technical problems with the first train were resolved. The second train asked for permission to resume its journey which was then approved by the new dispatcher. The second train reached full speed, and, at 7:50 AM, hit the stopped express train from behind.[4] As a result of the collision, four carriages were derailed, two of which caught fire. Forty-seven passengers and crew from both trains were reported dead, and more than 100 were reported injured.[5] The injured were airlifted to hospitals in Semnan and Damghan.[6] [7] [8]

Aftermath

The governor of East Azerbaijan province, where most of the victims were from, announced a day of public mourning in respect for the victims.[9] The Iranian President offered his condolences to the victims' families and asked for an investigation into the accident to find out the causes and discover where the responsibility for the accident lies.[10] Tehran to Mashhad railway line has been closed to allow an investigation.[11]

On 27 November it was announced that managing director of the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways Mohsen Pourseyyed Aqaei resigned, offering an apology to the nation for the deadly incident.[12]

Reactions

Notes and References

  1. News: Deadly train crash in Iran prompts resignation, arrests. Al-Monitor.
  2. Web site: Google Maps. 2 December 2016.
  3. Web site: Eric DuVall. Train crash in rural Iran kills dozens . United Press International. 25 November 2016. 25 November 2016.
  4. News: AFP. 2016-11-26. 44 dead as trains collide in Iran. Business Standard India. 2021-02-23.
  5. Web site: Several reported killed in Iran train collision . Al Arabiya . Al Arabiya Network . 25 November 2016 . 25 November 2016.
  6. News: Iran train crash in Semnan province kills at least 31 . BBC News . 25 November 2016 . 25 November 2016.
  7. Web site: Iran State TV: Death Toll in Train Collision Increases to 36 . The New York Times . 25 November 2016.
  8. News: Passenger trains collide in Iran, 44 killed: official . 25 November 2016 . Reuters . 25 November 2016.
  9. Web site: یک روز عزای عمومی در آذربایجان شرقی اعلام شد . 25 November 2016 . A day of mourning was announced in East Azerbaijan . Persian . 25 November 2016 . Mehr News .
  10. Web site: Naseer Karimi. Iran: Death Toll in Train Collision Rises to 43. ABC News. 25 November 2016. 25 November 2016.
  11. Web site: At least 44 dead, 103 injured as trains collide in Iran. Dawn News. 25 November 2016. 25 November 2016.
  12. Web site: Tasnim News Agency - Iran's Railroad Chief Resigns over Fatal Train Crash.
  13. Web site: Tasnim News Agency - Iranian Road Minister Apologizes for Deadly Train Crash.
  14. Web site: French government condoles with families of Semnan train collision victims. www7.irna.ir. Iranian News Agency (IRNA). 2016-11-29.
  15. Web site: Turkey offers condolences to Iran after train accident. Anadolu Agency. 2016-11-29.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Semnan–Damghan train collision".

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