Milan to Bologna high-speed train crash 6 Feb

An Italian high-speed train travelling between Milan and Bologna through Posto Movimento Livraga derailed at appx 280 km/h killing two drivers and injuring dozens of passengers yesterday morning Thurs Feb 6th. The train was the 9595 5.34 Milan to Salerno formed of an ETR400 Frecciarossa 100 train set.
The cause of the crash is being investigated, but concerning images have emerged of a set of points left in the open position towards a passing loop at that location. It appears that the train derailed at this point. The leading vehicle derailed - and appears to have struck a maintenance vehicle in the loop causing it to become detached from the rest of the unit and be redirected towards a maintenance building which it appears to have also struck before coming to rest facing backwards and laying on its side. The remaining vehicles have remained in line and upright on ballast between the main line and the passing loop. As a result most passengers suffered minor injuries.

The facing points that the train appears to have derailed on were worked on hours previously. Workers claim to have left the points in the closed position - aligned to the main line - even though they are understood to have been disconnected electrically.

Drivers are understood to have had authority to proceed at full speed.
Question marks over how the points could be set to diverge into a loop without a warning for the train to slow down. Train is equipped with ETCS L2 which would have applied the brakes in the event of any overspeed. Italian junctions for loops and crossovers not usually negotiated at more than 60 or 100 km/h.

Damage to the train and infrastructure is extensive and will take a while to repair subject to the authorities concluding their investigations.

Many Italian high speed services are currently cancelled, curtailed and redirected over the 'classic' route between Milan and Piacenza.

An Italian high-speed train travelling between Milan and Bologna through Posto Movimento Livraga derailed at appx 280 km/h killing two drivers and injuring dozens of passengers yesterday morning Thurs Feb 6th. The train was the 9595 5.34 Milan to Salerno formed of an ETR400 Frecciarossa 100 train set.
The cause of the crash is being investigated, but concerning images have emerged of a set of points left in the open position towards a passing loop at that location. It appears that the train derailed at this point. The leading vehicle derailed - and appears to have struck a maintenance vehicle in the loop causing it to become detached from the rest of the unit and be redirected towards a maintenance building which it appears to have also struck before coming to rest facing backwards and laying on its side. The remaining vehicles have remained in line and upright on ballast between the main line and the passing loop. As a result most passengers suffered minor injuries.

The facing points that the train appears to have derailed on were worked on hours previously. Workers claim to have left the points in the closed position - aligned to the main line - even though they are understood to have been disconnected electrically.

Drivers are understood to have had authority to proceed at full speed.
Question marks over how the points could be set to diverge into a loop without a warning for the train to slow down. Train is equipped with ETCS L2 which would have applied the brakes in the event of any overspeed. Italian junctions for loops and crossovers not usually negotiated at more than 60 or 100 km/h.

Damage to the train and infrastructure is extensive and will take a while to repair subject to the authorities concluding their investigations.

Many Italian high speed services are currently cancelled, curtailed and redirected over the 'classic' route between Milan and Piacenza.