Hermalle-sous-Huy train collision
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| Hermalle-sous-Huy train collision | |
|---|---|
 AM96 unit 461 was at the rear of the passenger train that collided with the freight train. | |
  | |
| Details | |
| Date | 5 June 2016 23:03 (CEST) |
| Location | Hermalle-sous-Huy, Belgium |
| Coordinates | 50°33′40″N 5°20′37″E / 50.56111°N 5.34361°E |
| Country | Belgium |
| Line | Liège–Namur railway line |
| Operator | SNCB |
| Incident type | Rear-end collision |
| Cause | Under investigation |
| Statistics | |
| Trains | 2 |
| Passengers | 40 |
| Deaths | 3 |
| Injured | 36 (9 serious) |
| Damage | Two carriages and a wagon severely damaged. 15 metres (16 yd) track and 50 metres (55 yd) sleepers damaged |
The Hermalle-sous-Huy train collision was a collision between a passenger train and a freight train in Hermalle-sous-Huy, Belgium, on 5 June 2016. At least three people were killed and 36 others were injured, nine of them seriously.
The crash occurred at 23:03 CEST (21:03 UTC),[1] when the passenger train crashed into the rear of the goods train while the two trains were on the same line.[2] The driver of the passenger train was one of the fatalities.[3] All on board had been rescued from the train by 02:00 on 6 June.[4] Those less seriously injured were taken to Flône Abbey,[1] or a nearby sports centre.[4] The passenger train comprised two SNCB Class AM96 electric multiple units.[1] It was travelling from Mouscron to Liers via Namur and Liège. The freight train had about 30 wagons in its consist.[5]
The front two carriages of unit 548 were severely damaged.[3][6] Unit 461 was at the rear of the train.[4] It had about 40 passengers on board. The passenger train was travelling at about 90 kilometres per hour (56 mph) when it ran into the rear of the freight train,[7] which was either stationary,[5] or travelling at 10 to 15 kilometres per hour (6 to 9 mph).[3] It was reported that an earlier lightning strike had caused disruption on the Liège–Namur railway line.[8] A signal fault had been reported at 21:30, but was said to have been cleared at the time of the accident.[7] Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel tweeted his condolences to the victims and wished the injured a speedy recovery.[9] He and King Philippe visited the site of the accident on 6 June.[3]
Following the accident, it was revealed that the signal that was passed at danger was not equipped with the TBL 1+ train protection system, which is capable of automatic brake application if a train passes a red signal. This system was introduced following the Buizingen train crash in 2010.[10]
The train event recorders of the passenger train were recovered from the wreckage on 8 June in an apparently undamaged condition.[11] Infrabel stated that repairs to the tracks to allow single-line working for intercity trains would be completed by 8 June, with local trains being replaced by buses. It was intended that all track repairs would be completed by the evening of 9 June,[12] which was achieved. Normal service resumed that day. Damage to the track required the replacement of 15 metres (16 yd) of rail and 50 metres (55 yd) of sleepers.[13]