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A major rescue operation is underway in Gothenburg after two freight trains with dangerous substances collided.
Train traffic was stopped, roads were blocked, and several schools and buildings were evacuated.
– There is a very high risk of explosion. The situation is very serious and it is a very critical situation, says Martin Berntsson, fire inspector with the Greater Gothenburg rescue service.
A major rescue operation is underway following a serious accident at Rangerbangården in Sävenäs, Gothenburg.
Two freight trains collided and derailed. One of the trains contains dangerous substances, ethylene oxide, which is a toxic and flammable gas, and hydrogen peroxide, a corrosive substance. One of the wagons has overturned and it is feared that it has started to leak.
– There is a very high risk of explosion. The situation is very serious and it is a very critical situation, says Martin Berntsson, fire inspector with the Greater Gothenburg rescue service.
It is currently unclear if the car has a leak.
– We have started the work and we do not know for the moment if it has leaks, says Anders Helmborn, alarm and control operator of the Greater Gothenburg rescue service.
The railroad and roads are blocked
The railway station and all access roads have been blocked, including Munkebäcksmotet in the direction of Gothenburg.
– We are there with five stations and two management units. We are now investigating the substances to see if they have leaked out and how we should handle them, says Anders Helmborn.
Buildings and schools are being evacuated
Several buildings have been evacuated, including a school and a preschool.
Police and rescue services were alerted to the scene at 0435. Trains are stopped and the effort affects regional train traffic, as well as commuter train and freight train traffic.
– It is Västra stambanan with trains to Gothenburg, Alingsås and Stockholm that has stopped, says Anders Helmborn.
It is not yet clear how long the rescue operation will take.
– If you have a leak, it can be a long-term effort and we may have to extend the locks and shut down the E20 in both directions, says Anders Helmborn.
At present, there is no information on injuries.
– We have chosen to evacuate to reduce any damage. It is currently impossible to say how many will be affected by this, says Martin Berntsson.
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