In the midst of a snowstorm in Beijing, two subway trains collided, resulting in 515 individuals being hospitalized, with 102 sustaining broken bones, according to authorities on Friday.
The incident occurred on Thursday evening in the mountainous western region of Beijing along the above-ground segment of the expansive Changping line of the subway system. The slippery tracks triggered automatic braking on the front train. The subsequent train, descending on a slope, skidded and was unable to brake in time, as detailed in a statement by the city transport authority on its social media account on Friday.
Prompt responses from emergency medical personnel, police, and transport authorities led to the evacuation of all passengers by approximately 11 p.m. Twenty-five passengers were kept under observation, and 67 remained hospitalized on Friday morning, according to the authority.
The heavy snowfall, which commenced on Wednesday, has resulted in the suspension of certain train operations and the closure of schools. Alerts persist for icy roads, extreme cold, and the possibility of further snowfall. Overnight temperatures were anticipated to drop to minus 11 degrees Celsius (12 degrees Fahrenheit).
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Despite the widespread winter storms affecting northern China, no fatalities have been reported. Beijing typically experiences bitterly cold winters, but substantial snowfall is infrequent.