2023 Beijing Subway collision
CP024, one of the trains involved, seen in 2021
Details
Date14 December 2023
about 19:00 CST (UTC+08:00)
LocationHaidian, Beijing, China
CountryChina
LineChangping line
OperatorBeijing Mass Transit Railway Operation Corporation Limited
OwnerBeijing Subway
Incident typeCollision
Statistics
Trains2
Deaths0
Injuredat least 515

On 14 December 2023, two trains on the Changping Line of the Beijing Subway in Beijing, China collided in heavy snow, resulting in at least 515 injuries, but no fatalities. The tracks had become slippery, which caused the first train to automatically apply its brakes. A second train following behind was unable to stop in time, and crashed into the first.[1]

Background

The two trains involved in the collision were CRRC Qingdao Sifang SFM13 trainsets, the first train being CP024 and the second CP032.[2] The two trains entered service in 2015.[2]

There was heavy snow the day before the collision, which caused the temporary closure of some train lines and schools,[1] and above-ground trains were instructed to be operated manually and to maintain a larger gap between trains.[3] On the day of the accident, Beijing set an orange alert for heavy snow and a yellow alert for icy roads,[4] which is unusual for Beijing as it rarely experiences snowfall.[5] The line on which the accident occurred transports approximately 400,000 people each weekday.[4]

Accident

The collision occurred during rush hour, at about 19:00 CST on the Changping line in Beijing.[4] Another train, SFM93 set CP059, experienced skidding due to snowfall at Life Science Park station, and the signal system experienced a downgrade. As a result, CP024 waited in front of a signal behind CP059.[2] CP032, which was manually driven, departed Xi'erqi station and, at a speed of 92 kilometres per hour (57 mph), activated its emergency braking. Due to the increased braking distance from the snow, CP032 was unable to stop in time and collided with CP024.[2][4] A statement by the Beijing Municipal Commission of Transport indicated that the CP032 was travelling downhill and could not brake effectively. Beijing Subway later said that CP024 had become separated at several carriages, and the front two cars of CP032 involved in the collision had detached.[4][2]

Aftermath

In the aftermath of the collision, shuttle buses were provided for the closed sectors.

The trains involved lost power, leading to passengers being left in the dark and smashing windows open for fresh air.[3] By 23:00, all passengers were evacuated by emergency services.[5] 515 people were brought to hospitals, 102 of whom suffered bone fractures.[1][4] As of 06:00 the next day, 423 had been released,[4] 25 were under observation, and 67 others remained hospitalised. There were no fatalities.[5]

Immediately after the accident, the Xi'erqi station was closed to facilitate rescue operations. Rail services on the Changping Line between Xi'erqi and Zhuxinzhuang stations were also suspended due to the damaged trains blocking the track. On 15 December, the Changping line continued to operate with no service between Xi'erqi and Zhuxinzhuang stations, with replacement shuttle bus services provided for the closed section.[3][6]

Following the collision, Beijing Subway offered an apology and said that it would pay for passengers' medical costs. Passengers who had already left the scene but experienced discomfort later were also welcomed to contact Beijing Subway.[7]

The incident had also sparked criticism from netizens, with one Weibo user questioning the maintenance of the network and asked whether Beijing Subway was "taking the lives of hundreds of people too lightly".[3]

On 16 December, full services on the Changping Line resumed.[8]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Over 500 people injured in Beijing train collision amid heavy snow". 1 News. Archived from the original on 15 December 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "北京地铁事故公布初步原因：雪天导致列车追尾 共515人送医院检查". cnBeta.COM (in Chinese (China)). Archived from the original on 15 December 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Beijing subway crash leaves 102 with broken bones". 15 December 2023. Archived from the original on 15 December 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 McCarthy, Simone (15 December 2023). "Beijing metro train collision sends hundreds to hospital". CNN. Archived from the original on 15 December 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  5. 1 2 3 "515 People Injured in Train Collision in Beijing". TIME. 15 December 2023. Archived from the original on 15 December 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  6. ↑ Zhang, Phoebe (15 December 2023). "Icy track to blame for Beijing commuter train failure, more than 100 injured". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 15 December 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  7. ↑ "北京地铁昌平线雪夜发生追尾事故 致102人骨折". Lianhe Zaobao (in Simplified Chinese). Archived from the original on 15 December 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  8. ↑ "北京地铁昌平线16日起全线恢复正常运营". 15 December 2023. Archived from the original on 15 December 2023. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
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