Italy: Death toll now at nine after landslide crashes into train

A landslide slammed into a small commuter train travelling through the Italian Alps killing at least nine people today.

More than 30 others were injured, many seriously, in the accident near Merano, a small town close to the Austrian border.

Three more people were believed to be missing.

Giuseppe Marazzi of the local firefighters said seven of the injured were hospitalised in serious condition.

The train had been nearing its destination of Merano after departing from the small town of Malles.

Helicopters, ambulances and firefighters rushed to the scene. Rescuers with shovels were digging in the mud, while a huge crane was on site to remove the wreckage.

At least one carriage was destroyed, its windows shattered, and it was only prevented from plunging into the river Adige below when it rolled into trees.

The wreckage was mired in mud from the landslide which was unleashed by a burst irrigation pipe.

The fire department in Bolanzo, the Alpine region’s largest city, said nine people were killed. Initially officials had reported 11 dead, but said that was due to confusion in the first hours after the tragedy.

The line is one of Italy’s most modern and was opened only five years ago.