In the Viareggio train station, a freight derailed and caused explosions, gasoline fires hit surrounding structures. Here's a link to the story in La Repubblica, read it as best I could quickly.
The cause of the terrible disaster has been identified as the structural failure of the undercarriage of the railcar immediately behind the locomotive, which derailed, causing the spillage of 30 cubic meters of liquid gas. The ensuing blast demolished everything within 300 meters, including apartment buildings. The railcar in question is registered to a company in Vienna, which is said to be responsible for maintenance and repairs.
The rail line between Genoa and Rome has been severed at Viareggio, and traffic will reportedly be adversely affected for the next three days. The Viareggio station has been severely damaged.
On a positive note, two passenger trains about to transit through Viareggio at midnight (an Intercity arrving from Rome and a Regionale bound for Florence) were stopped outside of the station just seconds after the derailment, thanks to quick action by the Stationmaster. Had these trains entered the area of the station, hundreds would have perished. Thankfully, the stationmaster was "on the job" and not on a coffee break.
According to La Nazione this morning, a train strike (more of a 'stoppage') was scheduled between 11 and 12 this morning - don' know if it took place. The trade unions involved are set against private carriers using the network to transport goods, including hazardous goods. My impression from the piece, and I am open to correction, is that more stoppages are likely to occur.
Incidentally, having looked at the news footage of the damage several times last night, it will take a superhuman effort to get the line open in three days. A bridge that passes over the line was badly damaged, and its structural integrity is in question.
Posts: 220 | Location: Tuscany | Registered: 08 April 2008
I should have said that it was fortunate that the stationmaster was at his post when the accident occurred, and not visiting the rest room (which conceivably can happen at unexpected moments throughout the day and night). Obviously, he was not anticipating a disaster about to occur!
BTW, the cause of the undercarriage structural failure has been identified as rust. The undercarriage broke apart suddenly and without warning, causing the GPL-laden railcar to topple over. The gas leaked out, a large white cloud formed which ignited into a firing inferno.
