On Thursday evening when two subway trains collided on the Changping subway line, leaving over 500 people injured, with more than 100 injured. The incident occurred during heavy snowfall, and the aftermath has concerns about the Beijing’s transportation infrastructure.
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The collision occurred at around 7 p.m. during rush hour on the above ground portion of the Changping subway line.
According to the Beijing Municipal Commission of Transport, the investigation pointed to a malfunction related to the signal and emergency braking systems, primarily attributed to the snowy weather conditions.
One train, encountering slippery tracks, came to an emergency stop, while the following train, unable to brake effectively on the downhill section, collided with it.
A total of 515 people were rushed to the hospital for examination, and among them, 102 were found to have fractures.
There were no reported fatalities, but the scale of injuries has concern. Videos and images circulated on social media depicted the severity of the collision, with detached train cars and injured passengers.
The collision happened of a cold snap and heavy snowfall in Beijing, an orange alert for heavy snow and a yellow alert for icy roads.
The extreme weather conditions led to slippery tracks, causing the initial train to apply emergency brakes. The following train, descending on an icy track, was unable to stop in time, resulting in the rear end collision.
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As news of the collision spread, social media platforms were flooded with videos and eyewitness accounts. Passengers described a sudden jolt, darkness, and chaos inside the train cars.
Emergency personnel, police, and transport authorities responded to the scene, evacuating all passengers by 11 p.m. Some passengers resorted to using emergency hammers to break windows for fresh air.
Beijing Transport issued an apology and pledged to conduct a thorough investigation. The subway operator acknowledged that two end carriages had detached from one train, leading to injuries.
The company expressed its commitment to covering the medical expenses of the injured passengers and promised to necessary measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The collision occurred a series of disruptions in transportation due to heavy snowfall and extreme cold in Beijing.
The city faced an orange alert for icy roads and heavy snow, impacting not only the subway system but also road, rail, and air transport. Schools were closed, and authorities issued warnings for extreme cold temperatures.
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Chinese netizens expressing shock over the number of injuries and questioning the maintenance and safety protocols of the Beijing Subway system.
Some concerns about routine inspections and the overall preparedness of the transportation system to handle adverse weather conditions.
Beijing Subway reiterated its commitment to passenger safety and apologized for the accident. The company announced that it would cover the medical expenses of the injured passengers.
The operator instructed that above ground trains be operated in manual mode, and intervals between trains be widened to safety.
The collision faced by urban transportation systems in handling extreme weather conditions. Beijing, known for its cold winters, experienced an intense snowfall, leading to slippery tracks and disruptions.
As of the latest update, 423 people have been discharged from the hospital, while 67 remain hospitalized for treatment. Twenty five individuals are under observation.
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