Tunnel collapses in Moscow subway

A section of tunnel collapsed in the Moscow subway today, causing a fire on a train, but no one was hurt, officials said.

Emergency Situations Ministry spokesman Viktor Beltsov said that a concrete section fell on a train, triggering a fire. He said rescuers safely evacuated all passengers, and there were no injuries.

The accident occurred on a section of subway between Sokol and Voikovskaya stations in north-central Moscow, halting train movement.

A fleet of ambulances and fire engines arrived at the subway stations and there were huge traffic jams in the area. Authorities launched additional buses for travellers.

Moscow subway chief Dmitry Gayev said that the accident had apparently been caused by workers who erected a street billboard in the area and damaged piles supporting the tunnel’s roof, the ITAR-Tass news agency reported.

Gayev said that train movement on the line will be restored tomorrow morning.