In a tragic incident that unfolded on Thursday in Beijing, hundreds of commuters found themselves caught up in a perilous situation as two metro trains collided on the Changping subway line, leading to numerous injuries and a massive response from emergency services. The collision, occurring at around 7 p.m. during the bustling rush hour, resulted in dozens of individuals sustaining fractures and being promptly rushed to hospitals across the city.
The Beijing Municipal Commission of Transport, in a statement issued on Friday, disclosed that a preliminary investigation attributed the collision to a malfunction associated with signal and emergency braking systems, exacerbated by snowy weather conditions. The statement explained that one train, navigating the Changping line to the northwest of the Chinese capital, abruptly halted due to slippery tracks covered in snow. Tragically, the train trailing behind was unable to brake effectively on the snowy downhill section, leading to a rear-end collision with the stationary one in front.
A total of 515 people were subsequently transported to hospitals for thorough examinations, with 102 individuals identified as having suffered fractures, according to the transportation authority. Remarkably, despite the severity of the incident, no fatalities were reported. By 6 a.m. on Friday, 423 individuals had been discharged from the hospital, marking a swift response to the medical needs arising from the collision.
Reports from Thursday evening initially suggested that two end carriages had detached from one of the trains, causing injuries to passengers. Witness videos circulated on social media appeared to corroborate this, depicting separated train cars. In one video, a distressed passenger exclaimed, “The subway train I took broke into two parts!” The incident unfolded on an above-ground section of the subway, with the line typically accommodating nearly 400,000 passenger trips on a weekday, as reported by state media.
The subway operator in Beijing issued an apology for the incident, expressing regret for the unfortunate turn of events and pledging a thorough investigation. The operator assured the public that any necessary fixes would be implemented to prevent similar incidents in the future. The collision, occurring against the backdrop of a cold snap and snowfall that had gripped Beijing and northern China since Wednesday, prompted widespread transport disruptions and the closure of schools.
As of Thursday evening, the city was under an orange alert for heavy snow and a yellow alert for icy roads, highlighting the challenging weather conditions prevailing at the time of the incident. China employs a four-tier weather warning system, with red being the most severe alert, followed by orange, yellow, and blue. The collision serves as a stark reminder of the complex challenges posed by inclement weather on transportation systems, necessitating constant vigilance and proactive measures to ensure public safety.