Exploding tank cars halt rail traffic in Russia’s Tambov region video

Rail traffic through a station in Russia’s Tambov region was temporarily halted after a freight train carrying fuel derailed, triggering explosions in several tank cars.

According to the carrier Grand Service Express, cited by a Russian newspaper, the incident caused delays to eight passenger trains operating to and from Crimea.

Four trains travelling toward Crimea — from Moscow and St. Petersburg to Simferopol and Sevastopol — were affected, with delays ranging from a minimum of three hours to a maximum of seven and a half hours.

Passenger services heading from Crimea to Moscow and St. Petersburg were also running late, with delays of between four and a half and six hours.

The carrier said that delay times could change as the situation develops. Train conductors are regularly informing passengers of updated estimated arrival times, and travellers on trains delayed for more than four hours are being provided with food and water.

It was also reported that a Simferopol–Moscow train that departed on February 3 behind schedule has now arrived at its destination.

Earlier, authorities confirmed an explosion on a railway line in the Tambov region after a train transporting fuel left the tracks, causing multiple tank cars to explode. Local social media accounts said the locomotive driver sustained severe burns while attempting to put out the fire independently.

By Tamilla Hasanova