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Rescuers comb France crash site Rescuers comb France crash site
(about 5 hours later)
Rescue work is continuing into the night at the scene of a head-on collision between two trains in France that left at least five people dead. Rescue work is continuing at the scene of a head-on collision between two trains in France that left at least five people dead.
A passenger train collided with a goods train in Zoufftgen, near the Luxembourg border in north-eastern France, before midday on Wednesday.A passenger train collided with a goods train in Zoufftgen, near the Luxembourg border in north-eastern France, before midday on Wednesday.
Officials say there is little hope of finding anyone alive in the wreckage.Officials say there is little hope of finding anyone alive in the wreckage.
It was initially reported that as many as 12 people had died, but this figure was then revised downwards.It was initially reported that as many as 12 people had died, but this figure was then revised downwards.
French Transport Minister Dominique Perben said the number of people travelling on the passenger train was fewer than originally thought.French Transport Minister Dominique Perben said the number of people travelling on the passenger train was fewer than originally thought.
'Terrible tragedy''Terrible tragedy'
France's judicial authorities and its state-owned rail network, SNCF, have begun separate investigations into the cause of the crash.France's judicial authorities and its state-owned rail network, SNCF, have begun separate investigations into the cause of the crash.
Rescue workers examine the wreckage of the two trainsEnlarge ImageRescue workers examine the wreckage of the two trainsEnlarge Image
"Was it a technical failure or a human failure? This is a question that we must find out," Mr Perben said."Was it a technical failure or a human failure? This is a question that we must find out," Mr Perben said.
The two trains had been sent onto the same section of the line after engineering works had restricted traffic to a single track, an SNCF spokesman said.The two trains had been sent onto the same section of the line after engineering works had restricted traffic to a single track, an SNCF spokesman said.
SNCF initially said two train drivers had died, as well as nine passengers and a person working on the track.SNCF initially said two train drivers had died, as well as nine passengers and a person working on the track.
But later reports said five people were dead, five injured and 10 others were being treated for shock.But later reports said five people were dead, five injured and 10 others were being treated for shock.
Rescue workers are checking the wreckage for more victims.Rescue workers are checking the wreckage for more victims.
"If we pull out any more people, they will not be alive," Luxembourg police spokeswoman Kristine Schmidt told the Associated Press news agency (AP)."If we pull out any more people, they will not be alive," Luxembourg police spokeswoman Kristine Schmidt told the Associated Press news agency (AP).
A mayor of the town of Thionville, near the crash scene, described the collision as a "terrible tragedy".A mayor of the town of Thionville, near the crash scene, described the collision as a "terrible tragedy".
"Lots of people from both countries commute across the border," Jean-Marie Demange told AP."Lots of people from both countries commute across the border," Jean-Marie Demange told AP.
TrappedTrapped
The passenger train left Luxembourg at 1130 and was due to arrive in the city of Nancy at 1255.The passenger train left Luxembourg at 1130 and was due to arrive in the city of Nancy at 1255.
It collided with the freight train, which was heading north to Luxembourg.It collided with the freight train, which was heading north to Luxembourg.
SNCF told reporters its train had received a green signal to switch onto the first track, as the second one was closed for maintenance work.SNCF told reporters its train had received a green signal to switch onto the first track, as the second one was closed for maintenance work.
A spokesman said: "For reasons that are not clear, these two trains came together head-to-head."A spokesman said: "For reasons that are not clear, these two trains came together head-to-head."
More than 100 rescue workers were sent to the crash site to set up a mobile hospital and treat victims, a local fire chief, Samuel Gesret, earlier told French television.More than 100 rescue workers were sent to the crash site to set up a mobile hospital and treat victims, a local fire chief, Samuel Gesret, earlier told French television.
Many of the wounded were trapped in the wreckage and had to be cut out and taken to hospital by helicopter.Many of the wounded were trapped in the wreckage and had to be cut out and taken to hospital by helicopter.
Wednesday's rail disaster was France's worst since November 2002, when 12 people died in a fire aboard a train travelling between Paris and Vienna.Wednesday's rail disaster was France's worst since November 2002, when 12 people died in a fire aboard a train travelling between Paris and Vienna.
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