Tragic Tram Derailment in Tula Claims Lives and Leaves Many Injured

At least four individuals lost their lives and over 20 sustained injuries on Friday morning when a tram derailed and struck two passenger minibuses in Tula, a city in central Russia, according to local authorities.

Dmitry Milyayev, the Governor of Tula region, stated that the incident occurred on a bridge close to a major shopping mall, involving the tram and the two minibuses.

He confirmed that there were no children among those who died, although some victims were taken to the hospital for treatment.

State media reported that six individuals were in a critical condition following the accident.

The regional police department informed the state news agency TASS that the tram went off the tracks due to a fault in the rail and veered into the minibuses in the opposite lane.

Russia’s Emergency Situations Ministry released images showing significant damage to the driver’s side of the minibuses. They noted that rescue teams were dispatched without delay, and traffic was promptly redirected.

The local branch of the Investigative Committee has launched a criminal investigation into safety breaches that contributed to the fatalities.