Two trains collide in north-central Iran, kill 5

At least five people have lost their lives and nearly a dozen others injured after two passenger trains collided at a station in Iran’s north-central province of Semnan.

According to local officials, the collision happened at the Haf-Khan station near the city of Shahroud around 7:40 a.m. local time on Friday.

Mostafa Mortazavi, the spokesman of the Relief and Rescue Organization of Iran’s Red Crescent Society, said five people have so far been confirmed dead and 11 others injured.

Ambulances and seven rescue teams have been dispatched to the site, the official said.

“Snowfalls and icy roads have hampered access to the site of the incident; therefore, a rescue helicopter has been sent there,” he added.

A huge fire also broke out following the accident, further slowing down relief operations underway at the location.

An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the collision.

Other local sources have given a higher toll.

Secretary General of the Iranian Red Crescent Society Ali-Asghar Ahmadi cited unnamed officials as saying that 15 people have so far been killed and some 22 others injured.

He said, however, that the casualty figures are still not precisely known.