Train crash in eastern Belgium kills at least 3

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By BNO NEWS

At least 3 people have been killed and 9 others have been seriously injured after a passenger train collided with a freight train in the town of Hermalle-sous-Huy in eastern Belgium, local officials say. The death toll could rise.

The accident happened at 11:03 p.m. local time on Sunday when the passenger train crashed into the back of the freight train, destroying several carriages. Two of six carriages on the passenger train derailed as a result of the crash.

“A train which traveled on the route between Moeskroen and Liers, with around 40 passengers on board, struck a freight train that was traveling on the same track,” train operator NMBS said in a press statement. “The emergency services immediately responded and are currently still hard at work.”

Saint-Georges-sur-Meuse Mayor Françis Dejon said that at least 3 people had been killed and around 40 others were injured. Authorities added at a 3 a.m. press conference that some of the injured were critically injured.

The accident took place on a line that connects the city of Liège, which is known as Luik in Dutch, and the city of Namur, or Namen in Dutch.

Footage from the scene showed a large number of emergency services and a medical tent was set up to treat some of the victims at the scene. Transport Minister François Bellot said he was in contact with the train operators and headed to the area.

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