Twenty people died and dozens were injured when two passenger trains collided head-on in southern Italy on Tuesday, a regional official told reporters.
The force of the impact crumpled carriages and sent debris flying into an olive grove that flanked the single stretch of track in countryside between the towns of Corato and Andria.
“Unfortunately the death toll has risen to 20,” said Giuseppe Corrado, the deputy head of the local province. He appealed for blood donors to go to local hospitals.
Firemen worked in fierce summer heat after the crash, which happened at around 11:30 am (5:30 am ET), picking through the wreckage and shattered carriages in search of other victims.
