A rush-hour subway train derailed yesterday in Moscow, killing 12 people and sending at least 150 others to the hospital, many with serious injuries, Russian emergency officials said. Several cars went off the track in the tunnel after a power surge triggered an alarm, which caused the train to stop abruptly.
Russian Emergency Situations Ministry Vladimir Puchkov gave the casualty toll at a televised news conference. At least 50 of the injured are in grave condition, the Itar-TASS news agency said, quoting Moscow health department chief Georgy Golukhov.
Golukhov told Russian television that only one person is still trapped in a wrecked train car but said he is still alive. Emergency services at the scene, however, speculated there could be more trapped commuters. It was not possible to immediately reconcile the reports.
The Russian capital’s airports and transit systems have been hit by several terrorist attacks over the past two decades but officials said Tuesday this appeared to be an accident. Puchkov said terrorism is not being considered as a possible cause.
