Prosecutors have launched an inquiry into the causes of a derailment in the Moscow metro on Tuesday morning that claimed the lives of at least 16 people.
Three metro cars slid off the tracks around 8:35 a.m. between the western Slavyansky Bulvar and Park Pobedy metro stations on the Blue Line.
Preliminary reports say the derailment might have been caused by a decrease in the electric voltage running through the tracks.
Deputy Mayor Maxim Liksutov said that in addition to the reported casualties, 80 people were injured in the accident, state news agency ITAR-Tass reported.
Federal Investigative Committee spokesman Vladimir Markin said his agency is considering opening a criminal case in response to the incident.
The evacuation of passengers from the train has now been completed, but an emergency hotline remains open for status updates on the incident: 8 (499) 787-2586.
Follow us on Twitter for more details on the deadly metro crash
See also:
Moscow Metro Passengers Post Eyewitness Accounts of Deadly Accident
Moscow Metro Death Toll Soars to 16, Another 106 Hospitalized
Victims of Moscow Metro Tragedy Could Get up to 2 Million Rubles Compensation
