Overnight, two bridges in western Russia were destroyed in incidents attributed to explosions, resulting in the derailment of two trains and causing significant casualties, officials said Sunday. The exact cause of the blasts remains unknown, and authorities have not confirmed whether they were deliberate acts.
The first incident occurred in the Bryansk region, on the border with Ukraine. A bridge in this area collapsed on Saturday, crushing a passenger train beneath it. The Russian Railways confirmed that seven people lost their lives, including the train’s driver, and dozens were injured. The catastrophic collapse also caused a freight train to be thrown off its tracks onto the road below, igniting a fire that, fortunately, resulted in no additional casualties, according to local acting Governor Alexander Khinshtein.
The Russian Investigative Committee, the country’s top criminal agency, initially stated that explosions caused the bridge collapses. However, later on social media, the agency edited its statement, removing the word “explosions” without offering further explanation. The committee announced that it would investigate the incidents as potential acts of terrorism.
Rescue crews worked tirelessly to clear debris from both sites, with some injured individuals being transported to Moscow for treatment. Photos from Bryansk showed train carriages torn apart and scattered amid fallen concrete from the collapsed bridge. Footage circulating on social media also captured scenes from inside vehicles on the road that had narrowly avoided driving onto the bridge before it gave way.
The authorities are now examining the incidents closely, amid rising concerns over security and the possibility of targeted sabotage. The investigation continues as the country grapples with the aftermath of these tragic events.
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