Passenger Train Goes Off Track In S Romania, No Casualties

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The accident occurred around 2:30 a.m. after the train's locomotive and eight cars carrying 360 passengers, went off the rails.

Gendarmes helped evacuate nearly 300 passengers from the train, while some passengers said it took them nearly 20 minutes to get out of the train, as the train cars overturned a few meters away from the rails.

Dolj prefect, Florin Stancu, said the authorities promptly intervened in this case, adding the county has never faced such an accident.

Luciana Rotaru, coordinator of SMURD Craiova emergency rescue services, said 15 passengers were rushed to Craiova Emergency Hospital, adding they were soon released from hospital in good condition after receiving medical care.

Marin Susanu, head of the country's railroad passenger company CFR Calatori, on Monday said a team of experts arrived Monday morning at the scene of the accident, stressing they would establish the causes of the accident.

According to Susanu, railroad traffic was detoured on another route.

Transport Minister Radu Berceanu said a preliminary report indicates the accident was "a deliberate act" after one or several people uncoupled a device connecting the rails, by using oil to smear the rail, as well as other special devices.

Berceanu also said damages are estimated to reach at least EUR5 million.