Massive fire breaks out as fuel tanks derail in southern Russia, 8 injured

At least 8 people have been injured and some 300 more evacuated after a cargo train derailed in Russia’s south with 17 fuel tanks running off the tracks. One person has been reported missing while firefighters are still battling the blaze.
Seventeen rail cars of a 71-car-long cargo train derailed at the Belaya Kalitva station in Russia’s Rostov region at around 2 am local time.

At least five cars have caught fire as a result of the accident, and heavy smoke is reported at the scene.

“Currently, eight victims are being treated at the hospital, among them are local residents,” Marina Kostuchenko from the local Emergencies Ministry office told RIA.

“As a result of the accident, one of the cars with diesel fuel tank started the fire, engulfing an area of 1.5 thousand square meters,” Interfax quoted the local Emergencies Ministry representative.

Official representative of the North Caucasian railway Evgeny Boevets told Interfax that during the derailment one of the cars exploded propane gas, enabling the flames spread to the locomotive.

"According to preliminary information, there was no explosion, instead, the tank caught fire," said the source.
At least 300 people have been evacuated from the area around the crash site.
Firefighters at the scene continue to battle the flames, IF reported.