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Russia: Bomb Caused Trainwreck

Officials find explosive remnants, point to terror attack

By the Associated Press

Posted Nov 28, 2009 8:21 AM CST
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(AP) – Russian officials opened a terror investigation today, saying that a homemade bomb planted on the tracks of the high-speed Moscow-to-St. Petersburg route caused a derailment that killed at least 26 and injured dozens. The head of Russia's Federal Security Service, Alexander Borotnikov, was quoted by Interfax and RIA Novosti as saying that an improvised explosive device equivalent to 15 pounds of TNT had detonated when the train passed over it last night. Remains of the device were found at the crash site, Borotnikov said.

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. The last three carriages of the 14-car Nevsky Express careered off the tracks last night as the train approached speeds of 130mph, officials said.

Railroad workers stand next to a damaged coach at the site of a train derailment near the town of Uglovka, Russia, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009.
Railroad workers stand next to a damaged coach at the site of a train derailment near the town of Uglovka, Russia, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009.   (Ivan Sekretarev)
A derailed coach is seen at the site of a train derailment near the town of Uglovka, Russia, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009.
A derailed coach is seen at the site of a train derailment near the town of Uglovka, Russia, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009.   (Ivan Sekretarev)
Debris from a damaged coach lies at the site of a train derailment near the town of Uglovka, Russia, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009.
Debris from a damaged coach lies at the site of a train derailment near the town of Uglovka, Russia, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009.   (Ivan Sekretarev)
Two police officers with sniffer dogs walk along a platform at Leningradsky railway terminal from where trains leave for St. Petersburg, in Moscow, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009.
Two police officers with sniffer dogs walk along a platform at Leningradsky railway terminal from where trains leave for St. Petersburg, in Moscow, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009.   (Misha Japaridze)
Investigators and rescue workers are seen amid wreckage and damaged coaches at the site of a train derailment near the town of Uglovka, Russia, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009.
Investigators and rescue workers are seen amid wreckage and damaged coaches at the site of a train derailment near the town of Uglovka, Russia, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009.   (Ivan Sekretarev)
Paramedic provides help to a passenger at Moskovsky train station after train derailment in St. Petersburg, Russia, early Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009.
Paramedic provides help to a passenger at Moskovsky train station after train derailment in St. Petersburg, Russia, early Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009.   (Dmitry Lovetsky)
Rail workers stand on the track near a damaged coach at the site of a train derailment near the town of Uglovka, Russia, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009.
Rail workers stand on the track near a damaged coach at the site of a train derailment near the town of Uglovka, Russia, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009.   (Ivan Sekretarev)
Passengers, one of them injured, walk along the track away from the site of a train derailment near the town of Uglovka, Russia, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009.
Passengers, one of them injured, walk along the track away from the site of a train derailment near the town of Uglovka, Russia, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009.   (Ivan Sekretarev)
Railroad workers stand next to a damaged coach at the site of a train derailment near the town of Uglovka, Russia, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009.
Railroad workers stand next to a damaged coach at the site of a train derailment near the town of Uglovka, Russia, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009.   (Ivan Sekretarev)
Russian police officers guard a damaged coach at the site of a train derailment near the town of Uglovka, Russia, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009.
Russian police officers guard a damaged coach at the site of a train derailment near the town of Uglovka, Russia, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009.   (Ivan Sekretarev)
Investigators and rescue workers are seen amid wreckage and damaged coaches at the site of a train derailment near the town of Uglovka, Russia, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009.
Investigators and rescue workers are seen amid wreckage and damaged coaches at the site of a train derailment near the town of Uglovka, Russia, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009.   (Ivan Sekretarev)
Russian police officers inspect a damaged coach at the site of a train derailment near the town of Uglovka, Russia, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009.
Russian police officers inspect a damaged coach at the site of a train derailment near the town of Uglovka, Russia, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009.   (Ivan Sekretarev)
A Russian police officer guards a damaged coach at the site of a train derailment near the town of Uglovka, Russia, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009.
A Russian police officer guards a damaged coach at the site of a train derailment near the town of Uglovka, Russia, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009.   (Ivan Sekretarev)
A Russian police officer guards a damaged coach at the site of a train derailment near the town of Uglovka, Russia, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009.
A Russian police officer guards a damaged coach at the site of a train derailment near the town of Uglovka, Russia, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009.   (Ivan Sekretarev)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
sailor86
Nov 30, 2009 1:19 AM CST
Just wondering who's gonna leave their calling card. An act of terrorism is nothing without taking "credit" for it.
RockyPneumonia
Nov 29, 2009 11:46 AM CST
It's just barely possible, y'know, that the comment lost something in translation.
riffran
Nov 29, 2009 2:00 AM CST
no it wasn't terrorism...it was a "man caused disaster"..

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Russia • North Caucasus • terror attack • TNT • russia train crash

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