Ukraine mourns for those killed in train-bus accident

Flags have been lowered at all state and municipal buildings, all entertainment events and TV and radio programs have been cancelled.

According to latest reports, the death toll of the bus-locomotive collision in Ukraine's Dnepropetrovsk region reached 43. Thirty-eight people died instantly, and five died at hospital in Marganets and Nikopol. Nine are staying at hospital, including four in coma.

The accident happened at the 116th kilometer of the Transdniestrian railroad in the morning. Traffic signals were in order and visibility exceeded 700 meters for both directions. The bus driver ignored flashing lights and tried to cross the railroad track right before the approaching train. The bus en route from Marganets to Nikopol collided with the locomotive.

On Tuesday, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev expressed condolences to his Ukrainian counterpart Viktor Yanukovich over the traffic accident, the Kremlin press service reported. "I was shocked to hear reports about today' s catastrophe in Ukraine's Dnepropetrovsk region that killed and injured so many people. It is hard to express the sympathy Russia feels over this grieve. If necessary, we are ready to offer any help to those injured," the press service cited the president. "Please express my sincere condolences to the families and friends of those killed and to the entire Ukrainian people."

This is the second day of mourning in Ukraine in 2010. On April 12, 2010, the Ukrainian president declared a day of morning for the air crash near Russia's Smolensk, in which Polish President Lech Kaczynski and other top-ranking Polish officials were killed; Kazinform cites ITAR-TASS.

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