Three minibus passengers hurt in accident still in critical condition

{Train collides with minibus in Anenii Noi district. Eight persons have been killed.} [Update] Three of the passengers who were injured in the accident are still in a serious condition. Hospital director Victor Cibotaru said that one of the female patients aged about 40 was taken to Chisinau, while the other two younger women are in the reanimatology section in Anenii Noi. The child aged one year and two months is out of danger. The other patients are in the surgery and traumatology sections. According to the latest police reports, eight persons were killed, while 13 hurt. [Update 16.32] The accident that happened on the railroads shook the entire village Serpeni, from where most of the passengers of the minibus that was struck by a train are, including the driver. Mayor of Serpeni Elena Nicolaev said that among the passengers who died was a 13-year-old boy. The rest are women aged between 20 and 50, including mothers with three and five children. A woman left a child aged one, while another one a baby of only six months. Not all the passengers have been yet identified as some of them did not have identification papers. The driver of the minibus, who will stand trial, became a widower four years ago and raises alone three children. [Update 16.11] The minibus driver is liable to 6 to 10 years in prison, according to the Traffic Police Division. The man was taken to the Transport Police Commissariat for questioning. [Update 15.53] According to preliminary inquiries, the accident was caused by the driver of the minibus as he ignored the red stoplights. He overtook the row of vehicles waiting to cross the railroad. The head of the Traffic Police Division Sergiu Armasu said the investigators will pronounce on the case. [Update 14.40] Sixteen persons purchased tickets to the fatal route at the Anenii Noi Bus Station. The other passengers got onto the minibus on the road. The exact number of passengers is not known. A Bus Station ticket seller said the minibus set off at 12 noon and was to get to Serpeni in 45-50 minutes. The driver has worked on the route for about a year. [Update 14. 28] The driver of the minibus ignored the red traffic lights, said the acting head of the Anenii Noi Traffic Police Alexandru Cotet. The man, who suffered minor injuries, will most probably stand trial. The district hospital head Victor Cibotaru said the driver is being examined by doctors, but is to be discharged soon. [Update 14.12] The 12-year-old girl who was taken to the hospital in a serious condition could not be saved. The number of casualties increased to 8. According to the head of the Anenii Noi district hospital Victor Cibotaru, three persons injured - two girls aged 19 and 20 and a woman of about 40 - are still in the reanimatology section. The other patients suffered different injuries. Most of them were admitted to the surgery and traumatology sections. Those hurt include a baby girl aged 1 year and two months, who suffered contusions. [Update 14.04] The information center of the Chisinau Central Railway Terminal said the minibus did not set off from Chisinau, but most probably from Anenii Noi, while the route is a private one. [Update 13.59] Specialists of the sanitary aviation traveled to the scene. Instructions were given to make sure that there are sufficient blood reserves at the hospital. “The patients will receive all the necessary medications and solutions,” said Deputy Minister of Health Gheorghe Turcanu. He added that according to the latest reports, seven persons died and 14 were hurt in the accident. [Update 13.55] The train that collided with the passenger minibus was heading from Chisinau for Bender town. Chief engineer of Moldova’s Railroads Alexandru Zaica said the traffic lights were red for the minibus when the accident happened. Visibility was normal. [Update 13.29] Fourteen persons hurt in the accident were rushed to the Anenii Noi district hospital. Four of them were admitted to the reanimatology section. According to the hospital’s head Victor Cibotaru, the patients include a 12-year-old girl who is in a critical condition. The entire medical personnel were mobilized to provide medical care to those injured. [Update 13.20] The acting head of the Anenii Noi Traffic Police Alexandru Cotet has told Info-Prim Neo that the accident occurred at about 13.00 on November 1. The train hit a minibus running on the Chisinau – Serpeni road. Six persons lost their lives. Their identity is yet to be established. A terrible accident happened near Bulboaca village of Anenii Noi district. Six persons were reportedly killed when a minibus was struck by a train. No other details are yet known.