Train accidents can be catastrophic, leading to loss of life, injury, and damage to infrastructure. Here are some of the major train accidents in the world:
- Lac-Mégantic train disaster, Canada (2013) – A train carrying crude oil derailed and exploded in the town of Lac-Mégantic, Quebec, killing 47 people and destroying much of the town’s center.
- Eschede train disaster, Germany (1998) – An ICE high-speed train derailed and crashed into a bridge near the town of Eschede, killing 101 people and injuring 88 others.
- Santiago de Compostela derailment, Spain (2013) – A high-speed train derailed near the city of Santiago de Compostela, killing 80 people and injuring 140 others.
- Gare de Lyon train accident, France (1988) – A commuter train crashed into a stationary train at the Gare de Lyon station in Paris, killing 56 people and injuring 60 others.
- Amagasaki rail crash, Japan (2005) – A commuter train derailed and crashed into a residential building near the city of Amagasaki, killing 107 people and injuring 562 others.
- Ufton Nervet rail crash, UK (2004) – A train collided with a car on a level crossing in the village of Ufton Nervet, killing 7 people and injuring 150 others.
- Santiago de Cuba derailment, Cuba (2017) – A train derailed in the city of Santiago de Cuba, killing 7 people and injuring 33 others.
- San Bernardino train disaster, USA (1989) – A collision between a freight train and a passenger train in San Bernardino, California, killed 8 people and injured 200 others.
- Rennert train crash, Poland (1990) – A collision between two trains near the town of Rennert, Poland, killed 16 people and injured 40 others.
- Cairo train collision, Egypt (2019) – Two trains collided near Cairo, killing at least 25 people and injuring dozens more.
Major Train Accidents in the World 2016
| Accident | Location | Casualty (Estimated data) | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tsunami Rail Disaster | Peraliya, Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka | 1700 | 26-Dec-2004 |
| Saint Michel de Maurienne Rail Accident | Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne, France | 800 | 12-Dec-1917 |
| Ciurea Train Disaster | Ciurea, Romania | 800 | 13-Jan-1917 |
| Bihar Rail Disaster | Saharsa, India | 700 | 6-Jun-1981 |
| Guadalajara Rail Disaster | Guadalajara, Mexico | 600 | 22-Jan-1915 |
| Ufa Rail Disaster | Ufa, Russia | 575 | 4-Jun-1989 |
| Balvano train disaster | Balvano, Italy | 550 | 3-Mar-1944 |
| Torre del Bierzo rail disaster | Torre del Bierzo, Spain | 500 | 3-Jan-1944 |
| Awash rail disaster | Awash, Ethiopia | 420 | 7-Jun-1905 |
| Al Ayyat train disaster | Al Ayat, Giza, Egypt | 380 | 20-Feb-2002 |