At least seven people were killed and dozens more injured when a bridge collapsed onto a moving passenger train in Russia’s Bryansk region, not far from the Ukrainian border. The incident occurred late on Saturday night and is now being investigated by Russian authorities as a possible act of terrorism, though no suspects have been publicly named.The collapsed bridge crushed parts of the train and derailed several carriages. Footage shared on social media showed mangled metal and stunned passengers scrambling through the wreckage in darkness, some calling for help. Officials confirmed the disaster happened around 10:44pm near the stations of Pilshino and Vygonichi, along the route from Klimovo to Moscow.Regional Governor Alexander Bogomaz announced three days of mourning beginning Monday. He reported that seven people had died and over 70 were injured, including two children. At least 44 victims remain in hospital. Moscow Railways, in an initial statement, described the cause as “illegal interference in the operation of transport.”Just hours after the Bryansk collapse, a second bridge failure occurred in the neighbouring Kursk region. A freight locomotive was derailed and fell onto a road after a bridge gave way, injuring the driver. Though authorities have not officially linked the incidents, both regions border Ukraine and have seen increased attacks on infrastructure since the start of the war.
Here’s what we know so far:
- The
Bryansk bridge collapse happened late Saturday, with a passenger train travelling from Klimovo to Moscow. - Seven people died and over 70 were injured; 44 remain hospitalised.
- Russian Railways said the train was evacuated and survivors were taken to a nearby station to continue their journey to Moscow.
- Hours later, a second bridge collapsed in the Zheleznogorsk district of Kursk, derailing a freight train and injuring the driver.
- Russian authorities said explosions were behind the collapses and are treating them as acts of terrorism.
- A criminal investigation has been launched, but no one has claimed responsibility.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin was briefed overnight on both incidents, according to the Kremlin.
- Pictures from Bryansk showed carriages smashed beneath chunks of concrete, while rescue workers were seen clearing debris.
- Officials from Russia’s Investigative Committee initially cited explosions, later editing their statement to remove that reference.
- Ukraine has not commented, although Russia has previously accused Ukrainian saboteurs of targeting rail infrastructure.
- Moscow Railways said the damage did not affect other traffic, and emergency crews were dispatched to repair the line.
- In a separate report, Ukraine’s GUR claimed a Russian military train bound for Crimea had been blown up, but did not mention the bridge incidents.
