Russia’s Freight Train Erupts in Flames as 39 Railcars Derail and Seven Fuel Tankers Catch Fire

A freight train derailed near Yekaterinburg in Russia’s Sverdlovsk region on October 26, sending 39 railcars off the tracks and setting seven fuel tankers ablaze. The incident triggered a large fire, with residents reporting explosions and thick black smoke rising above the railway.

According to Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations (EMERCOM) on October 26, the derailment occurred at approximately 2:21 a.m. local time along the Reshety–Sedelnikovo railway section, west of Yekaterinburg.

The fire spread across approximately 1,500 square meters, prompting a large-scale emergency response involving more than 300 firefighters and rescue personnel, supported by dozens of specialized vehicles.

By 4:47 a.m., emergency crews had disconnected the burning railcars, while a recovery train moved another 54 unaffected cars to a safe distance.

Russian emergency authorities reported that the fire was fully extinguished at 12:44 p.m. local time, more than ten hours after the incident began. According to the Russian Telegram channel Astra, several of the derailed tank cars were carrying fuel and caught fire following the accident.

Read more

Category

War in Ukraine

ATESH Claims Sabotage of Oil Transport Locomotive in Saint Petersburg, Disrupting Fuel Logistics

May 21, 2026 13:59

Witnesses reported hearing a powerful explosion before seeing flames and thick black smoke rising into the sky. One resident said the blast illuminated the surrounding area so brightly that it appeared to be daytime.

Russian authorities have not established the cause of the accident, and official emergency reports did not provide information about possible casualties.

In November 2025, Ukrainian military intelligence reported sabotaging Russia’s Trans-Siberian Railway near Sosnovka in Khabarovsk Krai, derailing a freight train and damaging the tracks. The operation reportedly disrupted a key supply route used to transport Russian military equipment and ammunition, including shipments from North Korea.

Help us understand what you already know

Join United24 audience survey