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A passenger train collided with a freight train in northern Greece early Wednesday, killing at least 26 people and injuring 85, Fire Department officials said.
Several train cars derailed and at least three caught fire after the accident near Tempe, about 380 kilometers north of Athens.
Hospital officials in the nearby town of Larissa said at least 25 people were seriously injured.
“The evacuation process is still ongoing and is being carried out in very difficult conditions due to the severity of the collision between the two trains,” said Fire Service spokesman Vassilis Varthakoyiannis.
Hospital units used to treat burn victims have been alerted to the area, he said, adding dozens of ambulances are involved in rescue efforts.
Rescuers with headlamps worked through thick smoke, pulling pieces of mangled sheet metal from the crashed train cars to search for those trapped.
A surviving teenager who did not give his name told Greek reporters that before the crash, he felt the brakes hard and saw sparks and then stopped.
“Our train was not caught, but the one in front was crushed,” he said visibly shaken. He said the first car was on fire and he used a bag to break the window of the fourth car and escaped.
“It was a very strong collision. It was a terrible night … It is difficult to describe the scene,” Costas Agorastos, regional governor of the central Thessaly region, told state-run television.
“The front of the train was crushed,” he said. “We are asking cranes to come and special lifting equipment to clear the debris and lift the rail car. There is debris all around the accident site.”
Government officials said the army had been contacted to help with the rescue.
Rail operator Hellenic Train said the northbound passenger train from Athens to the northern city of Thessaloniki had around 350 passengers on board when it collided.
Passengers with minor or uninjured passengers were transported by bus to Thessaloniki, 130 kilometers north of the incident.
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