By Gilbert Mmbaya
Two bridges collapsed over the weekend in separate Russian regions bordering Ukraine, derailing trains, killing at least seven people, and injuring dozens more, Russian authorities reported on Sunday.
The first incident occurred late Saturday in the Bryansk region, where a highway bridge collapsed onto railway tracks, causing a train to derail. According to the Russian Emergency Ministry and local officials, seven people were killed and 69 others injured in the incident.
“Seven people were killed and 69 injured when a highway bridge collapsed onto railway tracks, derailing an approaching train in Bryansk,” officials confirmed in a statement.
The second collapse happened early Sunday in the Kursk region while a freight train was crossing a bridge. The acting governor of the region, Alexander Khinshtein, and Russian Railways shared the update via Telegram.
“Part of the train fell onto a road underneath the bridge,” said Khinshtein. “The locomotive caught fire, but the blaze was quickly extinguished. One of the drivers sustained leg injuries and, along with the rest of the crew, was taken to a local hospital.”
Russian Railways stated that the train was en route from Kilimovo to Moscow when it collided with the collapsed bridge in the Vygonichsky District of Bryansk.
In a related development, political tensions continue to simmer amid the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The United States has urged Moscow to engage in diplomatic efforts, while Russia has proposed a second round of face-to-face talks with Ukrainian officials, scheduled to take place in Istanbul on Monday.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump weighed in, saying:
“The United States has urged Moscow to work together on a deal to end the war. Russia has proposed another round of direct negotiations.”
However, Ukrainian officials have yet to commit to attending the talks, insisting they first need to review Russia’s latest proposal. Meanwhile, a leading U.S. senator warned that Moscow could face intensified sanctions if progress toward peace stalls.
“Russia will be hit hard by new U.S. sanctions if no meaningful steps are taken,” the senator warned.
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