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Belgian Commuter Trains Head on Crash Kills at least 18

by Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke | February 15, 2010 at 04:38 am

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Two Belgian commuter trains crashed into each other early this morning. The incident

Belgian officials claim that 10 were killed and 11 injured, while the mayor of Halle, just outside of Belgium says the bodies of 15 men and 3 women had been recovered

The crash is also affecting high speed European rail service, since overhead electrical wires were damaged. the crash site is terminal connection point for electrical wires with the European high speed rail service.

The accident happened during morning rush hour, near Halle, just outside the Buizingen station.

An investigation is under way to determine the cause of the crash. Mr De Witte, Brabant Provincial Governor said one train had apparently failed to stop at a red light.

Two commuter trains crashed head-on outside Brussels on Monday, killing at least 20 people, a local official said.

The trains collided during the morning rush-hour near Halle, 15 kilometres southwest of Brussels, just outside Buizingen station.

The force of the collision smashed one train deep into the front of the other, peeling back the metal sides. Some carriages tipped high into the air and broke overhead power lines.

"The most recent information we have is that 20 people died," Halle Mayor Dirk Pieters told Belgian broadcaster VRT. "I base this on what the police and firefighters tell me."

Lodewijk De Witte, governor of the province of Flemish Brabant, told VRT that 10 people were killed.

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Uwe Paschen

at 06:05 on February 15th, 2010

Even though rare, it is devastating for all involved. Being in the Flemish part of the country, may add to the political tension.

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 06:13 on February 15th, 2010

It could add to the tension. Although I would think the employees of the railway are across ethnic lines. Let's just hope that common sense prevails.

EagleAD

at 08:37 on February 15th, 2010

Polical tension is usually the result of a couple of vocal big mouths who flap their lips to get attention. As of this morning the rumor in Belgium, the crash happened because of someone ignoring a signal.

Nothing to do with language.

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 08:43 on February 15th, 2010

Thanks for this Eagle. I guess signals easily cut through language barriers.

hidflect

at 07:22 on February 15th, 2010

I always thought it was nearly impossible for train accidents like this nowadays. We always hear about the multiple contingency and built-in safety systems they have. Usually some computer monitored system from an outfit like Siemens or so. Even if somebody tries to throw the switch wrongly, the computer won't let them. What electronic system lets 2 trains go head to head the wrong way? I suspect either some programmer right now is about to have a career changing moment or there's a much huger back story.

I heard some mention of Eurostar in the BBC reports. Thinking from a slightly callous PR perspective, It would be calamity for them to be involved since they just got damned yesterday in a safety report on their lack of preparedness after an infamous chunnel breakdown that had people waiting up to 16 hours.

Barbara McPherson

at 09:34 on February 15th, 2010

The TV news mentioned that the weather might have been a factor in the crash. But I too, thought that there were redundant fail safes in place. Those trains go fast!