At least seven people have been killed after a highway bridge collapsed in an area near the Ukrainian border, according to Russian emergency services.
The Briansk bridge reportedly killed several heavy trucks on a moving passenger train when it collapsed, causing 31 people to be injured.
Russia’s emergency ministry said firefighters were trying to find people who were traveling the train.
In a statement posted to Telegram, the Moscow Railway alleged that the bridge had collapsed “as a result of illegal interference in transportation operations.”
“Unfortunately, there are seven deaths,” local Gov. Alexander Bogomaz said on Telegram. He added that two people, including the child, were “severely injured.”
He added that all the victims were taken to medical facilities in the Bryansk area.
The Moscow Regional Transportation Prosecutor’s Office said the investigation has been launched.
Authorities said the train locomotives and several cars had derailed when the road bridge fell there.
Additional emergency workers, rescue equipment and light towers have been sent to the area to perform work at night, according to Russian news agency Tass.
Photos online showed mangled carriages and passengers helping them climb out of the wreckage in the darkness.
According to the Moscow Railway, the trains will be evacuated and passengers will be led to a meeting point at a nearby station, adding, “they can continue their journey on a specially formed reserve train that travels from Briansk to Moscow.”
The incident occurred about 100 km (62 miles) from the Ukrainian border.
