On September 10, 2024, at 23:17 local time, a freight train derailed on the Volokonovka – Novy Oskol section in Russia’s Belgorod region, near the Ukrainian border. The incident involved a locomotive and 11 empty wagons, which derailed due to what officials described as ‘unlawful interference with the operation of railway transport’.According to the Baza Telegram channel, the derailment was caused by an explosion on the railway tracks. The freight train, traveling from Bataysk to Staroy Oskol, reportedly hit an explosive device planted under the rails. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, as the train’s driver and assistant were unharmed, and the derailed wagons were empty.Belgorod Governor Vasily Gladkov confirmed the incident, stating, ‘In the Novo-Oskol district, as a result of unlawful interference in the operation of railway transport, a locomotive and several empty wagons of a freight train derailed.’ In response to the incident, the Investigative Committee of Russia has opened a criminal case on terrorism charges under Article 205, Part 2, Point ‘v’ of the Russian Criminal Code, citing ‘significant property damage’. The Western Interregional Investigative Management of Transportation is leading the investigation.The derailment has caused significant disruptions to rail traffic in the area. Passenger trains have been diverted or cancelled, with some passengers being transported to their destinations by bus. Specifically, trains 391, 547, and 548 will operate on modified routes without delays, while suburban trains 6708 and 6707 have been cancelled.Authorities are currently conducting a thorough investigation of the incident, including inspecting the railway track for potential additional explosive devices. The South-Eastern Railway has formed an operational headquarters to deal with the consequences of the derailment.
Key points
- A freight train derailed in Russia’s Belgorod region due to a suspected explosive device on the tracks.
- The Investigative Committee of Russia has opened a criminal case on terrorism charges.
- No injuries were reported, but the incident has caused significant disruptions to rail traffic in the area.
Contradictionsđź‘ľThere are slight discrepancies in the reported number of derailed wagons, with some sources stating ‘several’ and others specifying 11.
