Talks after 3rd train derails
After the derailment of a commercial train in the northern prefecture of Drama yesterday evening – the third such incident in as many days – Transport Ministry officials will convene today to discuss the state of the country’s rail network. There were no injuries caused by yesterday’s incident – and only one minor injury caused by one of two passenger train derailments over the weekend – but railway staff fear there will be more accidents unless rail tracks and trains are upgraded. According to railway staff, the section of railway line in Sykorachi, Drama, where yesterday’s derailment occurred, dates to 1973 but has been well maintained. The problem, they say, is that the local railway safety monitoring system has not been working for two years. As a result, there have been five derailments in the area in six months. Understaffing is also compromising safety, they said.
