A train derailed Wednesday morning in the north-east of Scotland, indicated the British transport police, the Scottish Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon evoking an incident “extremely serious” with the balance sheet for the moment unknown.
“This is an extremely serious incident,” Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said on Twitter, without however giving any information about possible victims.
“It is too early to confirm the exact nature and severity of the incident and more details will be made available once known,” tweeted Network Rail Scotland, which operates the Scottish rail network.
Volumes of smoke were emerging from the scene of the accident, which occurred in a hilly region, where several rescue vehicles and a helicopter poured in, according to images broadcast by the BBC. The train itself was not visible.
“We are currently dealing with an incident on the line at Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, where a train derailed,” UK transport police tweeted.
“The officers were called to the scene at 09:43 (08:43 GMT) and remain there alongside paramedics and firefighters,” added the police, without further details on possible victims.
Heavy rain fell overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday in Scotland which caused flooding in the area and caused delays in rail traffic.
“Our teams worked through the night to try to keep the network open, despite torrential rains and lightning strikes. There are, however, disruptions on several routes, ”Network Rail Scotland tweeted in the morning.
MP Andrew Bowie who was in the town of Stonehaven Wednesday morning saw “homes and businesses affected” by the weather, he testified on Twitter. “But it would have been a lot worse without the quick work of residents and emergency services. Fortunately, the water is receding quickly, ”he added on the social network.