5 Killed, 7 Badly Hurt in Greek Train Wreck
Five people were killed and seven others were badly injured Wednesday when a passenger train plowed into a derailed freight train loaded with heavy fuel oil in a remote part of northern Greece, according to initial reports.
Passengers were reportedly still pinned inside the wreckage, and helicopters were brought in to assist rescue workers in the rough terrain near the village of Stavroupolis.
Their efforts were made more difficult by leaking fuel oil, which had already contaminated a nearby river. The freight train, bound for Alexandroupolis when it derailed, was carrying 50 tons of fuel.
At least one freight car caught fire after the crash with the passenger train, which was making a run from Xanthi.
Helicopters airlifted the seven most severely injured people to a hospital in Xanthi.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
