Unknown Virus Outbreak on Russian Train: One Dead, 137 Hospitalized
By:
BNN Correspondents
Published: December 22, 2023 at 10:24 pm EST
An unknown virus has sparked an outbreak on the Tyumen-Adler train in Saratov, Russia, resulting in the death of a child and the hospitalization of 137 passengers. The affected individuals had reportedly come from the Olympic Rebyachka children’s camp. The train was evacuated in Balashov, but the specifics of the virus and the current status of the hospitalized individuals have not been divulged by officials.
Arson Incident on Moscow Railway
Elsewhere, two young individuals face charges of arson for setting a railway relay cabinet on fire in the Moscow region. A potential sentence of up to 20 years in a penal colony awaits the suspects if found guilty. An unidentified individual is said to have provided them with the instructions to commit the crime. The incident has added to the growing concern over the rise in railway sabotage cases in Russia, with around 150 Russians implicated in such incidents as of October 2023.
Authorities Ramp Up Infrastructure Security
The escalation in sabotage events has triggered authorities to amplify their efforts in protecting critical infrastructure. The severity and frequency of the disruptions have necessitated enhanced safety measures and a more proactive approach to prevent such occurrences.
More Details on the Outbreak
Of the hospitalized passengers from the Tyumen-Adler train, 16 children have confirmed diagnoses of Influenza A, while 70 have been diagnosed with acute respiratory infection. Seven children are in a moderate condition, while 79 have a mild severity. A 12-year-old girl tragically lost her life on the train, prompting a criminal investigation into the matter. Additionally, 86 children in the Saratov region exhibited symptoms of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and were subsequently hospitalized.