MOSCOW, December 18. /TASS/. A train collision in Russia’s northern Murmansk Region left one person dead and 17 others injured, said Alexey Kuznetsov, aide to the Russian health minister.
"According to the latest data, 17 people, including three minors, suffered injuries in the train accident in the Murmansk Region. Thirteen victims have already been taken to hospitals and are undergoing examinations, while another four are being taken to hospitals by ambulance crews," he said.
According to the official, three victims are in serious condition, and the rest, including minors, are in moderate-severity condition. Ambulance crews continue to be available at the scene, he said.
Air temperature at the time of the accident was minus 25 degrees Celsius.
The collision involved a freight train and a passenger train, which was en route from Murmansk to St. Petersburg. According to Russian Railways, there were 326 passengers on board the passenger train. The accident derailed 19 train cars, including 15 freight cars. A criminal investigation has been opened into a violation of safety rules. An emergency management services representative said a malfunction of the freight train was suspected as the cause of the collision. Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said he will personally supervise the provision of medical care to the victims.