High-Speed Tragedy in Ankara: A Sobering Reminder of Rail Safety
What went wrong? A quick recap
- 9 people lost their lives, including three train operators & one German tourist.
- Nearly 90 people hurt – 86 were injured on scene, with 34 still hospitalised.
- The disaster struck the 6:30‑am high‑speed service from Ankara to Konya.
- Delays, derailments, and a collapsed footbridge left the scene looking like a post‑snow battlefield.
Why did this happen?
According to Governor Vasip Sahin, the 6:30 train collided with a locomotive that was “checking rails on the same route.” The incident happened just six minutes after departure, as the train entered Marsandiz station.
Investigative angles
- Technical investigations underway to pinpoint the cause.
- Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has detained three employees of the state railways – suspected of negligence.
- Chief prosecutor in Ankara has opened a formal inquiry.
The aftermath: Chaos and compassion
Images from the day showed:
- Wagons overturned, windows shattered, a footbridge collapsed.
- Rescue crews worked under a white‑snow blanket to carry away bodies.
- Red Crescent staff handed out blankets and tea to survivors, who gathered on a road that had been sealed off.
Survivor stories
A woman witness recounted that the train had not yet picked up speed when the crash occurred. A passenger’s relative noted groups breaking windows and evacuating safely. One of the dead was Berahitdin Albayrak, a science lecturer and former vice‑chancellor at Ankara University.
Trains go from “smooth ride” to “straight‑up drama”
After this incident, services between Konya and Ankara were canceled to allow for a thorough overhaul.
Other recent and historic rail mishaps in Turkey
- July 2024 – 24 died in Tekirdag after a derailment caused by ground erosion.
- March 2014 – a commuter train collided with a minibus in Mersin, killing 10.
- January 2008 – faulty tracks in the Kutahya region caused 9 fatalities.
- July 2004 – a high‑speed train derailed in Sakarya, claiming 41 lives.
Bottom line
While the rails promise a swift glide across the country, this day reminded everyone that every journey comes with a price when safety gaps widen. It’s a stark reminder for rail authorities to tighten checks and for passengers to stay alert – because the next train could be the next headline.
