Italy train crash: 'Twenty killed' near Bari.

[pre65]

Twenty people have been killed and dozens more hurt in a head-on collision involving two passenger trains in southern Italy, officials say.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36774059

[DSY011]

My heart and thoughts go out to those who have suffered in this collision, and the family's who have suffered because of it.

[Beeyar Wunby]

Not ANOTHER single line collision. That's terrible.

BW

[pre65]

Human error was suggested in the initial reaction.

What is the point of sophisticated safety systems if some "wally" can override them and cause this sort of carnage ?

[Beeyar Wunby]

Originally Posted by pre65

Human error was suggested in the initial reaction.

What is the point of sophisticated safety systems if some "wally" can override them and cause this sort of carnage ?

I totally agree with you in the light of the recent German collision.

In this case the BBC are suggesting that there wasn't even a safety system to override....

Originally Posted by BBC Website

The system relied on telephone calls and "human error" remains the main line of inquiry, reports say.

<snip>

The inquiry is focusing on the lack of automatic signalling system on a small part of the Italian railway network.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36781217

Seems incredible in the 21st century. And here is the UK fretting about how slow we are in implementing ERTMS. This puts it in proportion.

BW

[pre65]

Italy rail crash: Andria station master 'let crash train go'.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36792246

[Beeyar Wunby]

Originally Posted by pre65

Italy rail crash: Andria station master 'let crash train go'.

Seems incredible. Even in the 19th century it was standard practice in most countries to operate a single line with tokens and/or interlocked signals.

[27vet]

Very sad, may the victims rest in peace.