A serious train accident near The Hague has claimed at least one life in the Netherlands. About 30 people were injured, some seriously, a spokeswoman for the security forces said on radio Tuesday. 19 people were hospitalized. Initially, nothing was said about her condition.
Prime Minister Mark Rutte spoke of a “terrible train accident” in a first reaction. “My thoughts are with the relatives and with all the victims. I wish them strength,” he wrote on Twitter.
bee #voorschoten the derailed train is empty on and especially next to the track. We also see the -possible- cause of the derailment: a railway crane that has been largely destroyed. Number of 50 passengers id train, “more seriously injured”. #rtlnews pic.twitter.com/0RlWV98qbz
— Geert Curtain (@geert Curtain) April 4, 2023
Around 3:25 am, according to a spokesman for the Railways, an Intercity and a freight train collided with a construction crane near Voorschoten, about 15 kilometers from The Hague. According to the railway, there were 50 to 60 passengers on the night train en route from Amsterdam to The Hague when the accident happened. The operator of the rail network “Prorail” was initially unable to say anything about the exact cause.
According to eyewitnesses, the Intercity crashed into a meadow and at least two wagons overturned. The freight train was derailed.
Most passengers were able to get off the train themselves. “There was a heavy blow, windows shattered,” a passenger reported on the radio. The car the student was in had overturned. He was able to free himself quickly.
The emergency services were quickly on the scene. Some passengers were also taken care of by local residents, according to eyewitnesses.
The chaos at the scene of the accident and on the track is great, reporters report. It is a very busy route from Amsterdam to The Hague. Traffic between Leiden and The Hague is disrupted. (sda/dpa)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
