Bus Collides With Train in Ukraine, 40 Killed

VOA Breaking News
Voice of America
October 12, 2010 at 12:25 pm

A train in southeastern Ukraine has collided with a bus, killing at least 40 people and critically injuring 10 others.

Authorities say the accident occurred Tuesday near the town of Marhanets at 9:25 in the morning local time.

Witnesses say the bus entered an unmanned railway crossing after ignoring an alarm signaling an oncoming train.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov told lawmakers Tuesday that investigation teams are working alongside emergency personnel at the crash site to determine what happened.

Lawmakers stood for a moment of silence in memory of the victims.

An Interior Ministry statement Tuesday said the train dragged the bus 30 meters after impact. It warned that the death toll could rise.

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych expressed condolences to relatives of the victims.

Some information in this story was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.