A freight train with fuel tanks derailed in Russia's Tambov region, the Investigative Committee of Russia reported, quoted by TASS, BTA reported.
As a result of the incident, which occurred at the Kochetkovka-2 freight station, a major railway junction in the Tambov region, the fuel tanks caught fire. The extent of the damage is still being determined. Investigators have arrived at the scene.
The Ukrainian agency Ukrinform reported that, according to users on social networks, the accident was caused by a drone attack. Video footage released by eyewitnesses shows fire and smoke rising above the explosion site.
Ukrinform quoted Russian media as saying that as a result of the derailment, five fuel tanks exploded and caught fire. The freight train driver suffered multiple burns while trying to put out the fire himself and was taken to hospital.
The Russian state railway company confirmed the train incident, specifying that it occurred at around 15:34 local time (16:34 Bulgarian time).
The Investigative Committee of Russia has opened a criminal case under Part 1, Article 263 of the Russian Criminal Code ("Violation of the rules for the safety of movement and operation of railway transport, causing significant damage" - TASS note), the press service of the Committee reported.