Forst Zinna rail disaster

The Forst Zinna rail disaster occurred 19 January 1988 in Forst Zinna, East Germany. It was the result of a collision between a Soviet T-64A tank and an express train on the Berlin–Halle railway, in an area often used by the Soviet military for tank training. Six people were killed, and 33 were injured. It was one of the worst railway accidents in the history of the GDR. Disaster The train involved in the accident was a DR Class 211 locomotive pulling twelve passenger cars and a restaurant car. The driver of the T-64A tank was 19 years old and undergoing training by a 20-year-old instructor. This was the trainee's first time driving the tank, and it was dark outside. The instructor called to the trainee to turn right, but this was not heard by the driver, who did not realise they were heading towards the busy rail line. When the instructor's emergency engine shutdown switch finally activated, the tank became stuck on the rail line. As the crew...