The Volgograd region administration has released a formal update detailing the casualties and injuries resulting from the derailment near Kotelnikovo. The message, initially posted on the region’s official Telegram channel and later summarized for public consumption by regional authorities, provides a consolidated picture of the incident and its ongoing medical response.
According to the joint briefing from the regional operational center and the regional health directorate, fifty-two people sustained injuries in the railway crash. Medical crews remain on site and actively care for the injured, with twenty-one patients receiving treatment at the central regional hospital in Kotelnikovo. Among these patients are ten children who require continuous medical attention and close monitoring. The latest assessment indicates that three individuals remain in serious condition. Two of these are receiving care at Volgograd Hospital No. 25, while the third patient, the train driver, is being treated in a facility equipped to meet his specific medical needs.
The incident occurred on the afternoon of July 29 near the town of Kotelnikovo, on the Kazan–Adler passenger route, when a passenger train collided with a KamAZ truck at a railway crossing. The collision caused nine train cars to derail, with seven overturning onto their sides. Initial figures from the national rail safety agency suggested that roughly 140 people were injured, and the truck driver—reported to be in a serious condition—was among those hurt. The train was carrying about 800 passengers at the time of the collision, underscoring the scale of the disruption and the potential for further injuries.
In the aftermath, investigators from the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation opened a criminal case related to the derailment within the Volgograd region. The inquiry focuses on determining the precise causes, identifying who may be accountable, and evaluating the safety provisions that governed the crossing involved. At this stage, investigators are collecting evidence at the scene and coordinating with railway and health authorities to support the ongoing inquiry. This coordinated approach aims to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the factors that led to the accident and to guide any recommended safety improvements.
Across the region, emergency services and health officials have emphasized the importance of rapid triage, effective on-site care, and the swift transfer of patients to facilities capable of providing the appropriate level of medical support. Local hospitals have mobilized additional staff and resources to manage the influx of patients, particularly children, whose medical needs require ongoing observation and treatment. The response illustrates the region’s readiness to mobilize multidisciplinary teams, including trauma specialists, pediatric professionals, and emergency clinicians, to address both immediate injuries and longer-term recovery.
Public safety authorities have reiterated the critical role of railway crossing safety and the need for continued vigilance by drivers and pedestrians in areas where train lines intersect with roads. While the full sequence of events remains under review, the focus remains on preventing similar incidents through improved signaling, road-user education, and regular maintenance checks of crossing infrastructure. Community members are encouraged to stay informed through official channels and to follow guidance from emergency services as the situation evolves. The ongoing investigation and medical response reflect a coordinated effort to manage the consequences of the derailment while pursuing accountability and safety enhancements for the future.