One Dies, 11 Injured as Bus Collides with Freight Train in Russia’s Leningrad Region
A deadly collision between a passenger bus and a freight train in Russia’s Leningrad region has left one person dead and at least 11 others injured, local authorities confirmed on Monday, August 4.
The incident occurred at an unguarded railway crossing in the Volkhonskoye area, not far from the city of St. Petersburg.
According to a statement issued by the regional branch of the Russian Railways, the crash happened when the bus entered the crossing despite an approaching train. The freight train’s driver reportedly applied emergency brakes upon sighting the bus but was unable to stop in time due to the short distance.
Though initial reports described the vehicle as a regular passenger bus, further clarification from the local prosecutor’s office and Russian news agency RIA Novosti identified it as a tourist bus. The vehicle is believed to have been en route to the Alexander-Svirsky Monastery, a popular destination for religious and historical tours in the region.
Emergency services arrived at the scene shortly after the accident. One person was pronounced dead at the site, while eleven others were transported to nearby hospitals with varying degrees of injury.
Several of the injured remain in serious condition, though full medical updates are still pending.
Investigators have launched a formal inquiry into the cause of the crash. Early findings suggest that the railway signaling system at the crossing was functioning correctly at the time of the incident. Prosecutors are examining whether the bus driver may have violated traffic safety laws or ignored crossing regulations, a recurring issue in similar accidents across the country.
The tragedy has once again drawn attention to the dangers posed by unguarded railway crossings in Russia, particularly in rural or less monitored regions. Transport safety experts have long called for more robust safety mechanisms—including barriers, warning lights, and surveillance systems—at such intersections to prevent similar tragedies.
The Leningrad regional authorities have pledged to review safety protocols at all level crossings and are expected to issue an update on preventive measures in the coming days.
Meanwhile, President Vladimir Putin has yet to comment on the incident, though messages of condolence are already circulating from regional leaders and transport officials.
As investigations continue, questions remain about whether more proactive enforcement and infrastructural improvements could have prevented the fatal crash, which has once again underscored the need for stricter safety measures on Russia’s extensive rail and road network.
