Death toll rises to two in train collision in Russia’s Murmansk region

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Moscow, Dec 19 (IANS) A collision between a passenger train and a freight train in the Murmansk region in northwestern Russia has claimed two lives, Governor Andrei Chibis said Thursday via his Telegram channel, with latest information showing 27 people were injured.

One passengers died in hospital, and the other died while being transported to a hospital, Chibis said in a video message.

The incident occurred at 4:15 pm local time (1315 GMT) Wednesday when the passenger train, en route from Murmansk to Saint Petersburg, collided with freight train wagons at Knyazhaya station.

The passenger train was carrying 326 people at the time of the collision, Xinhua news agency reported.

Initial reports indicated that at least 10 people were injured. However, updated information showed that 27 people, including five children, sustained injuries.

“The top priority is providing medical assistance to all those injured. Doctors are currently fighting to save the lives of several passengers,” Chibis said.

Meanwhile, Russia’s Tass news reported that the condition of 10 people, including three children, injured in the train collision remains serious.

“According to operational data, 14 victims of the railway accident, including three children, are being treated in hospitals in the Murmansk region. Doctors assess the condition of 10 patients, including three children, as serious. Two victims, unfortunately, died,” said Russian Minister of Health Alexei Kuznetsov.

Kuznetsov added that four people are in moderate condition. “11 people, including two children, received outpatient medical care. The victims are receiving all necessary care in full,” the minister’s assistant noted.

Meanwhile, the Russian Railways (RZD) continues work to restore train traffic through the Knyazhaya station in the Murmansk region after the train collision.

“In the conditions of the polar night and at a temperature of minus 24 degrees, we continue work to restore train traffic through the Knyazhaya station in the Murmansk region. We have already completed the removal of damaged passenger and freight train cars beyond the track clearance and have begun restoring the damaged infrastructure,” the authorities said in a statement.

Russian Railways added that wagons with crushed stone and a crane-laying machine with a new track grid and switches arrived at the station. Once the track laying is complete, Russian Railways will install the contact network.

“There are four recovery trains, 271 people, and four units of heavy equipment working on site. We are doing everything possible to open traffic on one track in the next few hours,” Tass quoted the holding as saying.

–IANS

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ATMIS lauds Somalia, Ethiopia deal to end bitter dispute

Mogadishu, Dec 13 (IANS) The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) has welcomed an agreement signed between Ethiopia and Somalia to end their bitter dispute over Addis Ababa’s plans to build a port in Somaliland, a region of Somalia.

Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia and Head of ATMIS Mohamed El-Amine Souef described the deal, inked in Ankara, the capital of Turkey, as an exemplary act of leadership that is crucial in advancing regional peace, security and stability, reports Xinhua news agency

“ATMIS remains fully committed to supporting Somalia’s state-building and security transition, in line with the aspirations of the Somali people and the African Union’s vision for a stable and prosperous Africa,” Souef said in a statement issued in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, Thursday evening.

He urged the two parties to implement the agreed measures and further consolidate mutual trust and cooperation.

Earlier, African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat also welcomed a recent agreement signed between the leaders of Ethiopia and Somalia over a dispute concerning Somaliland, a region of Somalia.

“The chairperson welcomes the communique signed by Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on December 11 in Ankara, under the auspices of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan,” the AU said in a statement issued on Thursday.

The AU chief praised “this important act of high responsibility on the part of the leaders of Somalia and Ethiopia,” urging them to implement the agreed-upon measures without delay.

Tensions had been escalating between Ethiopia and Somalia after Ethiopia and Somaliland reportedly signed an agreement earlier this year allowing Ethiopia access to the Red Sea in exchange for its recognition of Somaliland as an independent state, an agreement condemned by Somalia.

In a joint statement issued in Ankara, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud reaffirmed their respect for and commitment to one another’s sovereignty, unity, independence, and territorial integrity and agreed to work together to finalise arrangements that will allow Ethiopia to enjoy access to and from the sea.

–IANS

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RJD MLA Mukesh Raushan receives threat calls

Patna, Dec 16 (IANS) Mukesh Raushan, the RJD MLA from Mahua Assembly constituency, on Monday allegedly received death threats, adding to the tension surrounding the political atmosphere in Bihar.

The threatening calls came from an individual who identified himself as Manish Chaudhary, claiming to be a resident of Uttar Pradesh.

The incident occurred on Monday evening and has been reported to the Patna Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP).

The individual, Manish Chaudhary, used WhatsApp to make four life-threatening calls to Mukesh Raushan from the number 7417173317.

During the calls, Chaudhary not only threatened the MLA but also used abusive language, attempting to intimidate him.

He threatened to set Mukesh Raushan’s office in the Vaishali district on fire.

These threats come at a sensitive time as the MLA mourns the recent loss of his father. His father was also murdered by criminals recently.

After receiving the threatening calls, Mukesh Raushan immediately reported the incident to Patna SSP Rajiv Mishra.

The SSP has advised the MLA to file a written complaint to initiate a formal investigation into the matter.

Authorities are expected to trace the caller and determine the motive behind the threats.

The MLA was in the news recently as he broke down publicly after RJD leader Tej Pratap Yadav hinted at contesting the next Assembly election from the Mahua constituency.

Mukesh Raushan, the current Mahua MLA, has openly expressed his fears about losing his ticket in the next Assembly election.

He has stated his willingness to accept any decision made by the party but also hinted at returning to his medical profession if sidelined in politics.

This incident raises serious concerns about the security of public representatives in Bihar.

Given the rising political and social tensions in the state, such threats not only endanger the lives of individuals but also create an atmosphere of fear and intimidation.

Earlier, Purnea’s MP Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav received a number of life-threatening calls and messages even from Pakistan, Nepal, Dubai and Malaysia.

–IANS

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