Landslide derails train in northern Italy

A landslide hit and derailed a train near the city of Merano today, killing seven people and leaving more than 20 injured.

ROME // A landslide hit and derailed a train in northern Italy today, killing seven people and leaving more than 20 injured. The accident happened near the city of Merano, about 300 kilometres north of Venice. The Carabinieri police in the nearby town of Silandro said seven people were killed and about 25 were injured. The ANSA news agency said some were in serious condition and had been taken to hospitals. The train line runs between the Adige river and mountains on the other side. Thomas Widmann, a transport official in Bolzano, the biggest city nearby, said the landslide was caused by an irrigation pipe that burst open, sending rocks, debris and water down onto the oncoming train at around at 9:30am. Officials said it was a small, local train. It was not clear how many passengers were on board. At least one carriage was destroyed, its windows shattered, ANSA said. Trees prevented the carriage from plunging into the river.

* AP