Pamukova train derailment
| Date | July 22, 2004 |
|---|---|
| Time | 19:45 EEST |
| Location | Mekece, Pamukova, Sakarya Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1851: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value). from Istanbul |
| Country | Turkey |
| Rail line | Istanbul-Ankara railway |
| Operator | Turkish State Railways (TCDD) |
| Type of incident | Derailment |
| Cause | Excessive speed |
| Statistics | |
| Trains | 1 |
| Passengers | 234 |
| Crew | 9 |
| Deaths | 41 |
| Injuries | 80 |
| Damage | 4 cars |
The Pamukova train derailment was a fatal railway accident occurred in 2004 at Pamukova district of Sakarya Province in northwestern Turkey when a higher speed train derailed, at which 41 passengers were killed and 80 injured.
Accident
In the early 2000s, a project was started to construct higher-speed rail lines in Turkey, in first instance between the highest-populated cities Istanbul and Ankara. At 19:45 EEST on July 22, 2004, a higher-speed train named "Yakup Kadri Karaosmanoğlu" heading Ankara from Haydarpaşa, Istanbul derailed near Mekece village of Pamukova, Sakarya during its one of the first journeys 182 km (113 mi) far from Istanbul at about halfway.[1][2][3] Of the 234 passengers and nine crew on board, 41 were killed and 80 injured.[4][5][3]
The accident investigation revealed that the train ran into the curve with a radius of 345 m (1,132 ft) past Mekece railway station with a speed of 132 km/h (82 mph), where 80 km/h (50 mph) were allowed only. The speeding caused the left wheel of the second passenger car sprang off the track. The train's balance quickly deteriorated, and two following cars coupled to the derailed car drifted sideways.[6] Four cars were overturned while two cars were damaged heavily, which crashed into each other.[1][2] The locomotive and the first car remained undamaged on the track, and were taken to Osmaneli railway station after the accident.[7]
Aftermath
An analysis carried out by the railway simulation software Adams/Rail showed that a train running at 132 km/h (82 mph) derailed at the curve while another one with a speed of 130 km/h (81 mph) could pass the spot without any problem.[6]
There were no warn signs or signals available at the accident scene.[6][7] The investigation commission reported that the total journay duration set to 5 hours and 15 minutes was too short for the route. Suggested total journey duration should be 6 hours. Finally, the unsuitable railway infrastructure was one of the factors that influenced the accident.[6] At the time of the opening of the line one month ago, experts had warned the government to modernize the infrastructure before putting higher-speed trains in service.[1]
Right after the accident, Binali Yıldırım, the Minister of Transport, Maritime and Communication, was criticized harshly in the public. His resignation was requested. However, he rejected the demands and remained in his office.[8][9][10]
Ten years after the accident, the court found the two engineers of the train guilty of negligence causing death.[4][5] However, since the trial lapsed after seven-and-half years following the date of the accident according to Turkish law, the sentences were reduced.[11][12]
References
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Railway accidents in 2004
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