Horrifying video footage shows the moment a giant fireball erupted in Russia, launching flames more than 300 metres into the sky after petrol tanker cars on a freight train caught fire.
According to Russian state media, the blast was triggered by a train derailment which left about 30 rail wagons damaged at Kochetovka-2 station in the region of Tambov.
No casualties have been reported; passenger trains experienced delays.
A plume of black smoke can be seen erupting into a massive fireball in footage of the terrifying explosion.
The line damaged by the blast was a freight line that regularly carries fuel tankers.
An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the blast, with Russian Railways setting up an operational response centre to manage the incident.
Meanwhile, Ukraine and Russia have finished a second day of US-brokered talks in Abu Dhabi, which were aiming to find an end to the four-year war.
The warring nations conducted their first prisoner exchange in months, each releasing 157 captured soldiers, Russia’s defence ministry said on Thursday.
“On February 5, 157 Russian servicemen were returned” from Ukraine, the defence ministry said in a statement.
It added that “in exchange, 157 prisoners of war of the Ukrainian Armed Forces were handed over.”
The United States and United Arab Emirates acted as mediators for the exchange, it said.
A US envoy said on Thursday the Russia-Ukraine talks were ”productive” but “significant work remains”.
– with AFP
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