In a series of alarming events overnight, two bridges in western Russia collapsed due to explosions, leading to the tragic derailment of two trains, officials confirmed on Sunday. While the exact cause of the blasts remains unclear, the incidents have resulted in significant casualties and raised concerns over railway safety in the region.
The first bridge collapsed in the Bryansk region, located on the border with Ukraine, on Saturday. Tragically, the collapse occurred directly over a passenger train, resulting in the deaths of seven individuals, including the train's driver, as reported by state-run Russian Railways. This incident highlights the severe risks associated with railway travel in conflict-affected areas.
Hours later, a second bridge in the nearby Kursk region also collapsed, leading to the derailment of a freight train. According to local acting Governor Alexander Khinshtein, the explosion caused the bridge to give way, throwing the freight train off its tracks and onto the road below. Fortunately, this incident did not result in any casualties, although it did spark a fire.
Russia's Investigative Committee, the nation's leading criminal investigation agency, stated that the collapses were caused by explosions but later revised their statement to remove the word "explosions" without providing an explanation. The committee has announced plans to investigate the incidents as potential acts of terrorism, further indicating the seriousness of the situation.
Rescue workers have been actively clearing debris from both sites, while some injured individuals have been transported to Moscow for medical treatment. Images shared by government agencies from Bryansk depict train carriages dramatically ripped apart and surrounded by the fallen concrete from the collapsed bridge. Additionally, social media footage has emerged showing vehicles narrowly avoiding the bridge moments before its catastrophic failure.
As inspectors assessed the damage to railway tracks in the Bryansk region, the Moscow Railway confirmed that they found additional damage, although it remains unclear if this is connected to the recent bridge collapses. In previous incidents, some Russian officials have pointed fingers at pro-Ukrainian saboteurs for attacks on railway infrastructure, although these allegations lack independent verification.
In a related development, Ukraine's military intelligence, known as GUR, reported that a Russian military freight train transporting food and fuel was destroyed while en route to Crimea. However, GUR did not claim responsibility for the bridge collapses nor did they link their statement to the incidents. They emphasized that Moscow's vital supply line to the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia region and Crimea has been compromised.
Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, there has been a significant military push into the Zaporizhzhia region, and the dynamics of warfare continue to evolve. The situation remains fluid as investigations unfold and the implications of these bridge collapses are assessed.
