Post by Eric on Nov 28, 2009 16:36:53 GMT
Russian officials have opened a terror investigation, saying a bomb planted on tracks between Moscow and St Petersburg caused a derailment that killed at least 26 people.
The head of Russia's Federal Security Service, Alexander Borotnikov, was quoted as saying that an improvised explosive device equivalent to 15 pounds of TNT had detonated when the train passed over it on Friday night.
Remains of the device were found at the site of the crash, Mr Borotnikov said.
Indeed, this was a terrorist attack," Interfax cited Vladimir Markin, a spokesman for federal prosecutors, as saying.
If terrorism is confirmed, the train derailment would be Russia's deadliest terrorist strike outside the volatile North Caucasus region in years.
Witness accounts appeared to back up reports of a bomb blast.
"It was immensely scary. I think it was an act of terrorism because there was a bang," passenger Vitaly Rafikov told Channel One state television. He was unhurt in the accident and helped with the rescue, hauling victims from the wreckage and lighting fires for warmth.
The last three carriages of the 14-car Nevsky Express careered off the tracks on Friday night as the train approached speeds of 130 mph, officials said.
More than 600 passengers were on the train when it derailed near the border of the Novgorod and Tver provinces. The rural area is 250 miles north west of Moscow and 150 miles south east of St. Petersburg.
The head of Russia's Federal Security Service, Alexander Borotnikov, was quoted as saying that an improvised explosive device equivalent to 15 pounds of TNT had detonated when the train passed over it on Friday night.
Remains of the device were found at the site of the crash, Mr Borotnikov said.
Indeed, this was a terrorist attack," Interfax cited Vladimir Markin, a spokesman for federal prosecutors, as saying.
If terrorism is confirmed, the train derailment would be Russia's deadliest terrorist strike outside the volatile North Caucasus region in years.
Witness accounts appeared to back up reports of a bomb blast.
"It was immensely scary. I think it was an act of terrorism because there was a bang," passenger Vitaly Rafikov told Channel One state television. He was unhurt in the accident and helped with the rescue, hauling victims from the wreckage and lighting fires for warmth.
The last three carriages of the 14-car Nevsky Express careered off the tracks on Friday night as the train approached speeds of 130 mph, officials said.
More than 600 passengers were on the train when it derailed near the border of the Novgorod and Tver provinces. The rural area is 250 miles north west of Moscow and 150 miles south east of St. Petersburg.