MOSCOW, December 8 (RIA Novosti) – One person was killed when a freight train and a car collided at a passive railroad crossing in the Komi Republic in northwestern Russia, the Emergency Situations Ministry’s regional center reported Sunday.
The accident involving a Hyundai Accent and freight train No. 2014 occurred in the town of Ukhta at 18:14 local time on the 1541st kilometer of the Moscow-Vorkuta railroad. The car’s driver died as a result. The train was not derailed.
No further details were immediately available. An investigation is underway.
About 30,000 people die in traffic accidents in Russia annually. The accidents are attributed to a poor condition of roads and traffic violations, including drunk driving, running red lights and crossing into the oncoming lane.
Russian authorities have recently adopted laws to considerably toughen punishment for the most serious traffic violations.
