At least 7 killed, 67 injured in twin bridge collapses in Russia's Bryansk and Kursk regions
MOSCOW — At least seven people were killed and 67 others injured after two road bridges collapsed in Russia's border regions of Bryansk and Kursk, local authorities confirmed on Sunday.
Bryansk Governor Alexander Bogomaz said the first incident occurred late Saturday when a bridge collapsed onto railway tracks in the Vygonichsky district.
"According to operational data... unfortunately, seven people died," Bogomaz said on Telegram, adding that 66 people were injured—47 of whom are hospitalized. Three of the injured are children, including one in critical condition.
Russian Railways (RZD), the country's state-run rail operator, said nearly 200 railway workers, three restoration trains, and other emergency crews are on site to clear the wreckage and restore operations.
Initial statements by RZD's Moscow Railways branch referred to the incident as a result of 'illegal interference in transport operations,' though the post was later edited to remove that language.
A second collapse occurred in the Zheleznogorsky district of neighboring Kursk region as a freight train was passing. Acting Governor Alexander Khinshtein confirmed the incident and reported that one of the train drivers was injured.Russia's Investigative Committee later announced that both incidents were caused by explosions, though further details were not provided.Spokeswoman Svetlana Petrenko said investigators are working to determine the source and nature of the blasts.Both Bryansk and Kursk regions border Ukraine and have witnessed frequent drone strikes and sabotage attempts since the start of the war in Ukraine.While no group has claimed responsibility for the bridge collapses, Russian officials have previously accused Ukrainian operatives of targeting infrastructure near the frontier.Authorities said full investigations are underway, and emergency services continue operations at both sites. — Agencies
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