The 3 Worst Train Accidents in History

July 15, 2025 | Mass Transit

Mass transit systems—like trains and subways—are generally considered affordable, efficient, and relatively safe ways to travel. For millions of people around the world, they offer a dependable alternative to driving and help ease traffic congestion in busy cities. However, this sense of security hasn’t always matched reality. Throughout history, there have been moments when rail travel turned tragic, leading to devastating accidents that shook entire nations. These catastrophic events not only resulted in staggering loss of life but also highlighted critical flaws in safety standards and infrastructure.

Below, we explore three of the deadliest train disasters in history—grim reminders of how high the stakes can be when safety fails.

1. The Maurienne Derailment

The 1917 Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne train derailment stands as one of the deadliest rail disasters in history. It occurred in the small Alpine municipality of Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne in southeastern France, a vital transit route during World War I.

On the night of December 12, 1917, a military train designated M612 was transporting French soldiers home on leave from the Italian front. The transfer was part of an effort by military leadership to boost morale following a wave of mutinies that had rocked the French Army earlier that year.

The train was severely overcrowded, carrying approximately 1,000 troops, despite being authorized to carry only about half that number. It was made up of 19 cars: 15 four-axle passenger cars, two baggage cars, and two two-axle passenger cars. Most of the cars were built with wooden bodies and steel frames, and critically, only three cars were equipped with pneumatic brakes. The remainder had either hand brakes or no braking systems at all—woefully insufficient for the terrain.

The train faced a long, steep descent from the Fréjus Rail Tunnel, and the lack of adequate braking capacity quickly proved catastrophic. As it descended toward Maurienne, the train’s speed exceeded 135 kilometers per hour (about 84 mph)—far beyond safe limits for the winding mountain track. Just before reaching the Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne station, the train derailed on a sharp curve, resulting in a fiery wreck.

The disaster claimed the lives of at least 675 soldiers, though some estimates place the death toll at over 800. The Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne derailment remains a somber reminder of the hidden toll of war and the importance of transportation safety, particularly under extreme logistical and operational pressures.

2. The Ciurea Rail Disaster

The Ciurea rail disaster, one of the deadliest train accidents in history, occurred on the night of January 13, 1917, near the Ciurea railway station in Iași County, Romania, during the height of World War I.

At the time, Romania was in chaos. The Central Powers had launched a major offensive, and the Romanian government had relocated the capital from Bucharest to Iași. Thousands of civilians, soldiers, government officials, and students were fleeing the advancing German and Austro-Hungarian forces, trying to escape via overcrowded trains.

The ill-fated train—believed to be a Courier (Mail) Train—was composed of around 26 cars, including passenger coaches and baggage wagons. The cars were grossly overloaded, with estimates placing the number of passengers between 800 and 1,000. The train’s departure from Iași was delayed due to German aerial bombardments, and before it could finally leave, the original locomotive had to be replaced, further complicating operations.

As the train proceeded, it encountered heavy snowfall, causing significant delays. When it reached the steep slope approaching Ciurea station, disaster struck: the braking system failed on the downgrade. The train began to accelerate uncontrollably, reaching an estimated speed of 95 km/h (59 mph)—far too fast for the upcoming curve.

Unable to stop, the train derailed and collided with a stationary locomotive on a parallel track. The impact caused several cars to smash into nearby fuel tankers, resulting in a massive explosion and fire that consumed much of the train.

Due to the wartime chaos, no formal investigation was ever completed, and precise casualty figures remain uncertain. However, it is widely believed that between 800 and 1,000 people were killed, making the Ciurea disaster the worst railway accident in Romanian history and one of the deadliest globally.

3. The Bihar Train Disaster

The Bihar train disaster, one of the deadliest rail accidents in India’s history, occurred on June 6, 1981, when a passenger train derailed and plunged into the Bagmati River near Saharsa in the northeastern state of Bihar.

The train—reportedly a nine-carriage passenger train—was carrying an estimated 800 to 1,000 people, many of whom were believed to be traveling without tickets. As the train was crossing a bridge near the town of Badlaghat, it encountered severe monsoon conditions, including heavy rain, high winds, and rising floodwaters that made the tracks dangerously slick.

While the exact cause of the derailment has never been definitively confirmed, one widely cited account suggests that the train’s engineer braked suddenly—possibly after spotting a cow on the tracks—just as the train was approaching the bridge. The sudden braking on wet rails reportedly caused the rear seven coaches to skid off the bridge and plunge into the swollen river below.

Rescue efforts were severely hampered by the remote location and the intensity of the monsoon flooding. Many bodies were swept away by the current and never recovered. Official estimates place the death toll at over 500, though some unofficial accounts suggest the number could have been higher, possibly exceeding 700 fatalities.

This tragedy remains one of the worst rail disasters in the world, highlighting the devastating consequences of inadequate infrastructure, overcrowding, and extreme weather conditions.

Contact Marzzacco Niven & Associates for a Free Consultation 

Train accidents have become significantly less common, especially in the United States. However, they can still happen. It’s up to you to keep yourself and your loved ones safe when using mass transit. Choose reputable rail lines and follow all safety rules. You should also be aware of premises hazards at subways and train stations. If you’ve been injured, please contact Marzzacco Niven & Associates at the nearest location to schedule a free consultation today:

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