The **2010 Merano train derailment** happened on 12 April 2010 when a train derailed at [[Merano]], [[Italy]] after running into a landslide, killing nine, and injuring around 30 people.

==Accident==
At 09:05 [[UTC+2|local time]] (07:05 [[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]]), a three-carriage train derailed near Merano after running into a landslide.<ref name=BBC8615002/> Early reports suggested seven people were killed, but then conflicting reports emerged, some saying nine had died, and others saying eleven.(([[http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Train-Derails-Near-Bolzano-In-Italy-At-Least-Seven-Dead/Article/201004215599724?lid=ARTICLE_15599724_TrainDerailsNearBolzanoInItaly:AtLeastSevenDead&amp;lpos=searchresults|Eleven Killed In 'Horrific' Train Derailment Sky News Online 12 April 2010]])) and over thirty were injured,(([[http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_ITALY_TRAIN_DERAILMENT?SITE=WSAW&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT|Landslide derails train in northern Italy, killing 11 people]])) several of them seriously. However, “the death toll could get worse," Florian Schrofenegger, of the fire department in the nearby town of Bolzano, told local media.(([[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8615002.stm|title=Landslide derails train in Italy leaving nine dead |publisher=BBC News Online |accessdate=12 April 2010]]))

The front carriage was reported to have been left hanging over the [[Adige River]], prevented from falling into the river only by two trees. One report says that "The news agency [[Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata|ANSA]] said the train slid down a slope beside the tracks and was stopped by two pine trees from plunging into a river below. Firefighters are using cables to prevent it from slipping further down the mountain“. 

The landslide which reportedly derailed the train is believed to have been caused by the bursting of an irrigation pipe. The train was on a regional service,(([[http://www.ansa.it/web/notizie/rubriche/english/2010/04/12/visualizza_new.html_1761651595.html|At least six killed in train crash, Toll 'set to rise' after train hits landslide ANSA 12 April 2010]])) travelling between [[Castelbello]] and [[Laces]]. The line involved was the [[Venosta Valley Line]], which reopened in 2005. (([[http://www.cipra.org/alpknowhow/bestpractice/Venosta%20Valley%20Railway|title="Moving the Future": Merano - Malles Venosta Railway Restoration Commission Internationale pour la Protection des Alpes 12 April 2010]])) One report says that "The news agency Ansa said the train slid down a slope beside the tracks and was stopped by two pine trees from plunging into a river below. Firefighters are using cables to prevent it from slipping further down the mountain." 

'Italy's ANSA news agency said one of the train's three carriages was filled with mud from the landslide, and rescuers were digging frantically with shovels and pickaxes to try to reach the victims. A reporter for Sky Italia television said smoke was rising from the wreckage and helicopters were flying overhead.' a report stated.(([[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8615002.stm|'Six dead' as Italy train derails BBC News Online 12 April 2010]])) 

The accident is the worst in [[Europe]] since the [[Halle train collision|collision]] at [[Buizingen]], [[Belgium]] on 15 February 2010 and the worst in Italy since the [[2009 Viareggio train derailment|derailment]] at [[Viareggio]] on 29 June 2009.<ref name=Sky/>

==References==

  *[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_Merano_train_derailment|engelsk wikipedia]]