A tragic train collision in Chile has left two rail workers dead and nine others injured, sparking an investigation into the cause of the crash. The incident occurred just outside the capital of Santiago, where a freight train collided head-on with another train on a test run.
Authorities have detained the driver of the test train and a railway operator for questioning on charges of reckless manslaughter. Photos and videos from the scene show the aftermath of the collision, with one carriage jackknifed several meters into the air above a mangled cargo train.
The freight train was carrying 1,346 tons of copper, Chile’s main export, and had some people on board at the time of the crash. Security camera footage revealed that both trains were traveling at high speeds when they collided, raising questions about why the test train was not alerted to the approaching freight train.
Transportation Minister Juan Carlos Muñoz stated, “We have to identify what the causes are and take the corresponding measures” in response to the crash. The two individuals killed were crew members on the freight train, while the injured included four Chinese nationals operating the test train.
Train crashes are rare in Chile, with the government implementing safety measures following a fatal collision in 2001. While heavy rains have recently plagued the country, it is unclear if weather played a role in the collision. The incident has prompted a suspension of train services in Santiago as authorities work to determine the cause of the tragic crash.
