'Horrific' train crash in Italy leaves at least 25 dead
'I saw people in pieces,' says survivor who had to dig her way out from under a demolished carriage

The death toll from yesterday's head-on collision between two passenger trains in Italy has now risen to 25.
The two trains collided while travelling on a single-track line between the coastal towns of Bari and Barletta, in the southern region of Puglia.
Railway police commander Giancarlo Conticchio told local media at least 43 people were injured, although that figure could change as officials were unclear how many passengers were on board.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"Surely one of the two trains shouldn't have been there," he said. "And surely there was an error. We need to determine the cause of the error."
An aerial image showed the two trains crumpled by the collision, with some of the carriages completely destroyed.
One survivor dug her way out from the metal pieces and saved her husband. "I went barefoot under the wreckage. I dug my way out under the metal pieces and was able to save my husband. I saw people in pieces," she added.
A police officer told Italy's Rai News it was a "horrific scene, unbelievable... The worst scene of my life".
Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi cut short a trip to Milan to visit the scene.
"I want to express my condolences to the families and I have ordered, with no holding back, an inquiry to find who is responsible," he said. "I think we must have absolute clarity on this. We will not stop until we understand what happened."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
5 hilariously sparse cartoons about further DOGE cuts
Cartoons Artists take on free audits, report cards, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Following the Tea Horse Road in China
The Week Recommends This network of roads and trails served as vital trading routes
By The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: March 30, 2025
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
'Like a sound from hell': Serbia and sonic weapons
The Explainer Half a million people sign petition alleging Serbian police used an illegal 'sound cannon' to disrupt anti-government protests
By Abby Wilson Published
-
The arrest of the Philippines' former president leaves the country's drug war in disarray
In the Spotlight Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by the ICC earlier this month
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Ukrainian election: who could replace Zelenskyy?
The Explainer Donald Trump's 'dictator' jibe raises pressure on Ukraine to the polls while the country is under martial law
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Why Serbian protesters set off smoke bombs in parliament
THE EXPLAINER Ongoing anti-corruption protests erupted into full view this week as Serbian protesters threw the country's legislature into chaos
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Who is the Hat Man? 'Shadow people' and sleep paralysis
In Depth 'Sleep demons' have plagued our dreams throughout the centuries, but the explanation could be medical
By The Week Staff Published
-
Why Assad fell so fast
The Explainer The newly liberated Syria is in an incredibly precarious position, but it's too soon to succumb to defeatist gloom
By The Week UK Published
-
Romania's election rerun
The Explainer Shock result of presidential election has been annulled following allegations of Russian interference
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Russia's shadow war in Europe
Talking Point Steering clear of open conflict, Moscow is slowly ratcheting up the pressure on Nato rivals to see what it can get away with.
By The Week UK Published