Friday, April 24, 2015

Fourteen migrants killed in FYROM, hit by train


First entry: 24 April 2015
Fourteen migrants killed in FYROM, hit by train
Fourteen migrants were hit by a train and killed in central Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) late on Thursday as they walked through a canyon along an increasingly well-trodden Balkan route for migrants trying to reach western Europe.
The accident happened at around 10.30 p.m. near the central city of Veles. Rescue efforts were hampered by difficult terrain, with the site of the accident accessible only by foot or railway.
FYROM's state prosecutor said that from interviewing survivors it appeared most of the group were from Somalia and Afghanistan.
Local media reported that the group numbered around 50. They were hit by an international train traveling from the southern border town of Gevgelija to the Serbian capital, Belgrade, the same route taken by migrants trying to get from Greece to Hungary.
"The driver saw a large group, dozens of people," the prosecutor said in a statement.
"At that moment, he took action to stop the train and engage the siren, at which point some people left the tracks. The train was unable to stop before hitting and running over some of them."
Reuters

No comments: