The city of Kemerovo is facing the aftermath of a devastating tram collision that has now resulted in over 140 injuries and one fatality. This tragic event has prompted the opening of a third criminal case related to the failure to ensure control over the activities of the transportation organization, adding to the two existing cases concerning safety violations and traffic rule breaches. The incident has cast a spotlight on the urgent need for transportation safety reforms in the city. The collision, which occurred on June 6th on the city’s Logovsky Highway, has become a symbol of the broader issues plaguing Kemerovo’s public transportation system. Some of the injured, including children, are receiving outpatient care, while approximately 20 individuals remain hospitalized. The community is mourning the loss and rallying around those impacted by the accident. As the investigation unfolds, there are reports that the tram with faulty brakes had undergone maintenance just days before the devastating crash, raising questions about the adequacy of the repairs and the oversight of public transportation safety. The Kemerovo Oblast Interior Ministry’s announcement of a second criminal case indicates the gravity of the situation and the authorities’ commitment to uncovering the truth behind the collision. The incident has intensified calls from the public and officials alike for immediate and comprehensive measures to modernize the aging tram fleet, some of which are up to 40 years old, and to implement rigorous safety protocols to ensure such a tragedy does not recur.
Key points
- Over 140 people have been injured and one person has died in a tram collision in Kemerovo.
- A third criminal case has been opened in connection with the tram accident, focusing on the failure to control transportation organization activities.
- The investigation into the cause of the collision is ongoing, with brake failure or human error being considered as possible factors.
