Terror inquiry launched into Russian train crash

Russian authorities claim a train crash, which killed at least 25 people, may have been a terror attack.

The Nevsky Express, carrying more than 650 passengers from Moscow to St Petersburg, was derailed just after 9.30pm Friday night.

At least 25 people were killed and 96 hospitalised in the crash, while a further 18 were still not accounted for.

This morning, Russian prosecutors confirmed they had opened a criminal case on charges of terrorism and illegal possession of explosives, but would not speculate on the motives or suspects behind any attack.

The chief of the state-owned railroad firm, Russian Railways, said investigators believed the derailment was caused by a terrorist bomb.

Vladimir Yakunin told state television the main line of inquiry being pursued by experts was, “To put it simply, a terrorist attack.”

A crater was discovered near the railway track and passengers have reported hearing a loud bang just before the derailment.

Russian television has broadcast a recording of a mobile phone call from the train driver to the emergencies ministry saying there had been an explosion under the train.

The 14-car Nevsky Express is a luxury train, popular with business executives and government officials and the line has been targeted before.

In 2007, the service was derailed by a bomb, injuring 30 people, in an attack Russian authorities linked to Chechen rebels.