Viareggio's Tragedy Update

The death toll has reached 25 with the latest train-disaster victim being Federico Battistini, 32 years old, who passed away in a hospital in Pisa. Thirteen people are hospitalized with serious injuries. Rescue workers continue to look for the remains of a man who is missing since the tragic event. Andrea Falorni was walking his dog at the time of the explosion.

Mounting Death Toll

Viareggio's disaster counts 17 dead, including 2 babies who died today, 25 severely injured and 1 missing.

News is coming forth that there is evidence of rust on the GPL container's axle which caused a thin but deep opening and allowed the gas to leak out.

An official inquiry is in course to establish and verify the reasons for the disaster.

That fateful train began its journey in Novara, Piemonte and could have effected any number of the urban areas it was travelling through.

Italy is taking a harder look at the routes this kind of dangerous material travels as it makes its way down and around the "boot".

Viareggio's Tragedy

Last night, devastation hit Viareggio in the form of fire. Five houses collapsed, many cars were burst to a crisp and at least fourteen people were victims of the worst train disaster in Italian history.

As a cargo train was passing through the Tuscan town of Viareggio, part of its load of combustible GPL fuel tanks was derailed, caught fire and sent flames 40 meters (130 ft) into the air. The fire quickly spread to neighboring buildings and caused some sleeping souls to lose their lives.

The country is in shock. Berlusconi is in the city promising emergency relief. This is all within a few months of Aquila's horrific earthquake.

Italy can't take much more bad news this season.

Our thoughts are with Viareggio.



Pictures of the train station district of Viareggio from flickr account: rabendeviaregia