Death toll in Italy railroad blast rises to 16
09:49, 1 July 2009
ROME. July 1. KAZINFORM. The death toll in a gas explosion at a railroad station in northern Italy has risen to 16 people, a local health official said on Tuesday; Kazinform refers to RIA Novosti.
Earlier reports said at least 13 were killed and 50 injured in a powerful explosion that occurred at midnight in the town of Viareggio when a 14-carriage freight train carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) derailed and two carriages exploded.
Giancarlo Sassoli said 36 people had been wounded in the explosion, and 14 of them were in a critical condition.
The blast caused a fireball which engulfed nearby homes, destroying at least two houses. The area has been evacuated, ANSA reported earlier; Kazinform cites RIA Novosti. See www.en.rian.ru for full version.