MAN Truck Overturns and Damages Railway Infrastructure, Disrupting Communication with Georgia for 4.5 Hours

On September 30, at 11:30 PM, a MAN truck transporting agricultural products lost control and overturned on a bridge in the Sanahin-Tumanyan section, damaging the railway infrastructure. As a result, international communication with Georgia was interrupted for 4.5 hours, as reported by the press service of the South Caucasus Railway (SCR).

The overturned truck damaged sections of the bridge railings and vegetables that fell onto the tracks, impacting a 100-meter length of the contact network. Thanks to the efforts of the SCR recovery team, the network was restored and the tracks were cleared around 4 AM on October 1. Consequently, the departure of the international passenger train from Yerevan to Batumi and freight trains traveling from Georgia to Armenia has been delayed.

In 2021, the incidents of external influences on SCR infrastructure have increased, jeopardizing traffic safety. While there were 35 such incidents recorded in 2020, the first nine months of this year have already seen 70 incidents. The Pambak Gorge on the Vanadzor-Alaverdi section is noted as the most dangerous area, where the highest number of vehicles falling onto the railway tracks is registered. Particularly, many incidents occur in the autumn and spring when adverse weather further complicates traffic conditions.

The SCR is conducting explanatory and preventive work with the RA police to prevent transport incidents in this area. The company urges vehicle drivers to remain vigilant when crossing railway communications and apologizes to the passengers of delayed trains for the inconvenience caused.