Hermalle-sous-Huy train collision

The Hermalle-sous-Huy train collision was a collision between a passenger train and a freight train in Hermalle-sous-Huy, Belgium, on 5 June 2016. At least three people were killed and 36 others were injured, nine of them seriously.

Hermalle-sous-Huy train collision
AM96 unit 461 was at the rear of the passenger train that collided with the freight train.
Details
Date	5 June 2016 23:03 (CEST)
Location	Hermalle-sous-Huy, Belgium
Coordinates	50°33′40″N 5°20′37″E
Country	Belgium
Line	Liège–Namur railway line
Operator	SNCB
Incident type	Rear-end collision
Cause	Under investigation
Statistics
Trains	2
Passengers	40
Deaths	3
Injured	36 (9 serious)
Damage	Two carriages and a wagon severely damaged. 15 metres (16 yd) track and 50 metres (55 yd) sleepers damaged

The crash

The crash occurred at 23:03 CEST (21:03 UTC),^[1] when the passenger train crashed into the rear of the goods train while the two trains were on the same line.^[2] The driver of the passenger train was one of the fatalities.^[3] All on board had been rescued from the train by 02:00 on 6 June.^[4] Those less seriously injured were taken to Flône Abbey,^[1] or a nearby sports centre.^[4] The passenger train comprised two SNCB Class AM96 electric multiple units.^[1] It was travelling from Mouscron to Liers via Namur and Liège. The freight train had about 30 wagons in its consist.^[5]

The front two carriages of unit 548 were severely damaged.^[3][6] Unit 461 was at the rear of the train.^[4] It had about 40 passengers on board. The passenger train was travelling at about 90 kilometres per hour (56 mph) when it ran into the rear of the freight train,^[7] which was either stationary,^[5] or travelling at 10 to 15 kilometres per hour (6 to 9 mph).^[3] It was reported that an earlier lightning strike had caused disruption on the Liège–Namur railway line.^[8] A signal fault had been reported at 21:30, but was said to have been cleared at the time of the accident.^[7] Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel tweeted his condolences to the victims and wished the injured a speedy recovery.^[9] He and King Philippe visited the site of the accident on 6 June.^[3]

Following the accident, it was revealed that the signal that was passed at danger was not equipped with the TBL 1+ train protection system, which is capable of automatic brake application if a train passes a red signal. This system was introduced following the Buizingen train crash in 2010.^[10]

The train event recorders of the passenger train were recovered from the wreckage on 8 June in an apparently undamaged condition.^[11] Infrabel stated that repairs to the tracks to allow single-line working for intercity trains would be completed by 8 June, with local trains being replaced by buses. It was intended that all track repairs would be completed by the evening of 9 June,^[12] which was achieved. Normal service resumed that day. Damage to the track required the replacement of 15 metres (16 yd) of rail and 50 metres (55 yd) of sleepers.^[13]

Investigation

The Railway Accident and Incident Investigation Unit of the Federal Public Service Mobility and Transport opened an investigation into the accident.^[14]

The train event recorder revealed that the driver of the train passed a signal displaying a double yellow (caution) aspect.^[a] However, he only started to brake when the freight train came in sight.^[13] The investigation resulted in an intermediate report being published in June 2017. It concluded that it was likely that the passenger train overran a red signal.^[6]

Notes

1. A double yellow signal means that the signal ahead is showing a red (danger) aspect. See Belgian railway signalling for further details.