The alarm came in at 08:20 on Wednesday morning and there are currently no reports of injuries. In the collision, which occurred at an unattended crossing, the excavator was thrown from the rails itself and ended up upside down in the terrain.
– It’s a serious accident, that’s what I can say at the moment, says Marie Andersson, at the police’s regional command centre.
Stop in train traffic
– The train is carrying hydrocarbon gas, but there doesn’t seem to be any leakage from there. However, a hundred liters of diesel have leaked from the excavator, says the SOS operator.
The Swedish Transport Administration announces that the train traffic between Gällivare and Nattavaara has stopped due to the accident, it is currently unclear how long the traffic will be at a standstill.
– The rescue service will remain on the scene while the salvage work is in progress as there may be a risk of ignition, the SOS operator tells SVT at 10.20am.
The text is updated when more information is available.