At 09:05 local time (07:05 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.¹⁾ and over thirty were injured,²⁾ 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.³⁾

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 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,⁴⁾ travelling between Castelbello and Laces. The line involved was the Venosta Valley Line, which reopened in 2005. ⁵⁾ 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.⁶⁾

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

• engelsk wikipedia