Seven people have died and over 60 others were injured after two separate bridge collapses occurred overnight in Russia’s Bryansk and Kursk regions, both of which share borders with Ukraine.
Authorities say investigations have been launched into the incidents, with at least one potentially linked to sabotage.
In the Bryansk region, a road bridge collapsed onto railway tracks late Saturday, derailing a passenger train bound for Moscow. Regional governor Alexander Bogomaz confirmed the fatalities and said at least 66 others — including three children — were injured in the disaster.
Dramatic videos circulating on social media showed rescuers navigating the twisted wreckage of a Russian Railways train as screams rang out in the background. In one video, a distraught voice cried, “How did the bridge collapse? There are children there!”
Meanwhile, in the neighbouring Kursk region, a rail bridge collapsed in the Zheleznogorsk district as a freight train was crossing. Part of the train plunged onto the road below. Governor Alexander Khinshtein reported that the locomotive driver sustained leg injuries and that the entire crew had been hospitalized.
Russian Railways initially blamed the Bryansk derailment on “illegal interference in the operation of transport”, though that language was later removed from their statement. There has been no confirmation from Russian investigators on what caused either collapse.
Russia’s emergency ministry deployed teams to the scene in Bryansk, while repair trains were dispatched to restore the damaged infrastructure. In Moscow, ambulances were seen waiting at Kievsky railway station to receive injured passengers arriving from the affected region.
Russia’s railway network has been targeted multiple times since the country launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Kyiv has accused Moscow of using the rail system to move troops and military equipment to the frontlines.
The incidents come amid renewed diplomatic efforts to end the war, including a possible meeting between Russian and Ukrainian officials in Istanbul.
What You Should Know
Two bridge collapses in Russia’s Bryansk and Kursk regions have killed seven people and injured over 60. Authorities suspect sabotage in at least one case. These incidents underscore ongoing security risks amid the prolonged conflict with Ukraine.
