The Kazan – Adler passenger train derailed on the Gremyachaya – Kotelnikovo section in the Volgograd region after a collision with a KamAZ dump truck at a railway crossing. The incident occurred in the early afternoon and led to a major disruption on the line as emergency services converged on the scene.
Officials from Russian Railways confirmed that the derailment happened at 12:35 local time following the train’s entry into a junction where it struck the truck. The impact caused eight carriages to derail, with the tail portion of the train remaining on the tracks while the cars ahead derailed and collided with one another, blocking the line. The locomotive sustained serious damage, and its cab was crushed in the incident. Witnesses reported passengers exiting the overturned cars and inspecting the train for injuries as the scene developed.
Casualty and medical response details
Reports about injuries vary across sources. One Telegram channel suggested as many as 140 people were affected, while Russian Railways stated that 16 people were hospitalized, including 13 adults, 1 child, and 2 conductors. Regional media indicated that medical helicopters were deployed: eight doctors were dispatched by Mi-8 helicopter and four more specialists were en route on two Ansat helicopters to assist at the scene. So far, 20 passengers, including 7 children, have been transported to Kotelnikovskaya Central Regional Hospital for treatment.
The Volgograd regional administration noted that 22 ambulance crews were on site, with 4 additional EMS teams dispatched. Based on official data, there were 812 passengers aboard the train. An operational headquarters was established to coordinate the response, and helicopters and air ambulances from the Ministry of Emergency Situations were placed on standby. Authorities confirmed that a considerable number of injuries included bruises and cuts, with 33 children among those reportedly injured according to Mash, a Telegram channel. Some passengers were taken to health camps in the Krasnodar Territory for care and rest after treatment at local facilities.
Images circulating from the crash site show the tail-end carriages still on the rails, while cars from the middle section collided and blocked the track. The accident impaired the locomotive, and its cabin was crushed. A truck cabin was torn from the truck frame upon impact, ending up off to the side. Passengers who were able to move freely began checking for additional injuries while others waited for assistance.
Traffic safety and investigative findings
Russian Railways stated that the truck entered the crossing while the signal was showing a stop. At the moment of impact the train was traveling at about 65 km/h and visibility on the line was reported as good. The railway authority stressed that the truck driver violated traffic rules by proceeding onto the crossing ahead of an approaching train and in the presence of a functioning warning system. Officials noted the accident involved a moment of clear signaling that should have prevented such a crossing breach.
According to the Telegram channel Baza, the truck driver was identified as Aslambek Usmatov, 43 years old. The individual sustained serious head and leg injuries and was taken to a hospital. On the night of the incident, Usmatov told police that he could not recall exactly what happened, suggesting either a late reaction or possible brake issues. Blowing questions about alcohol or drugs were addressed; a breathalyzer showed negative results, but blood and urine samples were sent for further analysis to determine any substances involved.
Mash reported that about 20 passengers sustained moderate injuries. One passenger was trapped in a carriage, and rescuers labored to free them. While the rescue operation continued, some passengers were relocated to safer areas and evaluated for further medical needs. There were reports of a woman in serious condition who was transferred to hospital for urgent care.
Crossing and vehicle ownership context
Authorities indicated that the KamAZ dump truck involved in the crash belonged to a Kaliningrad construction company but bore Moscow plates. The vehicle had been seized by bailiffs due to a debt of several million rubles, raising questions about the ownership and use of the truck prior to the collision. The truck did not have outstanding traffic fines prior to the incident, but the legal action surrounding its seizure complicates the broader context of the crash and its aftermath.