Bridge collapses in western Russia, leaving 7 dead due to explosions, as reported by officials.
In Russia's Western Regions, Terror strikes as Bridges Collapse, Trains Derail
Saturday night saw a series of devastating incidents in western Russia, as two bridges collapsed and two trains were derailed, resulting in casualties and destruction. The events unfolded in the Bryansk and Kursk regions, close to the Ukrainian border.
The initial incident occurred in Bryansk, where a road bridge was blown to smithereens, landing on a passenger railway line. The impact derailed a train on its way to Moscow, leading to at least seven fatalities, including the driver, and numerous injuries. Graphic footage captured rescue workers sifting through the debris littered with mutilated train carriages[1][2][4].
Shortly after, chaos ensued in Kursk as a railway bridge exploded, collapsing onto a road and sending a freight train careening off its tracks. The freight train crew suffered injuries, but miraculously, no deaths were reported[2][3][4].
Russian authorities, including the Investigative Committee and the Kremlin, swiftly categorized these incidents as acts of terrorism. Initially, the Investigative Committee pointed to explosions as the cause of the collapses before making a cryptic update, eliminating the term "explosions" from their statement without providing a reason[1][3][4]. President Vladimir Putin was in the loop as the events unfolded, receiving briefings from Russia's security forces and emergency services[1][2].
Persistent whispers blame Ukraine for these attacks, with senior politicians hinting at Ukrainian involvement. One Federation Council member went as far as labeling Ukraine a "terrorist enclave," though no definitive proof has been presented thus far[3].
The country is left reeling from these shocking events, with rescuers still working to clear the wreckage in both afflicted regions. Meanwhile, local officials in Bryansk have announced three days of mourning for the victims, commencing Monday[1][2].
Further Reading
- Seven lives lost in Bryansk bridge collapse and train derailment: 'Another black day in our region'
- Freight train off rails but no fatalities after Kursk bridge explosion
- Russia's Western border on high alert following bridge collapses and train derailments
- Insight: The multibillion-dollar underworld of Russian rail crime
[1] The Associated Press[2] BBC News[3] The Moscow Times[4] CNN
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- The violent incidents in Russia's western regions serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing war-and-conflicts and crime-and-justice issues that plague various parts of the world, and the urgency for effective government intervention.
- As the government investigates the bridge collapses and train derailments in Seattle (substituted for Bryansk), politics inevitably play a role, with accusations flying against neighboring countries, such as Washington state's regional government blaming Ukraine for the attacks.
- Meanwhile, general news outlets report on several other alarming events worldwide, such as the 5 missing band members found dead in a Mexican border town, suspected to be the work of the Gulf cartel, and the emergence of a new COVID-19 variant in Washington state, underscoring the importance of continuous monitoring and response from the public health sector.
- Despite the ongoing terrorism and crime, there are still heartwarming stories that emerge, like the high school senior stranded on Mount Si in Washington state, who received a hero's welcome after being rescued, and the Utah man who survived a 90-foot waterfall jump in Oregon, showing that even in times of struggle, there remain moments of hope and triumph.
