http://pix.lenta.ru/news/2007/08/13/train1/picture.jpg

A Russian passenger train travelling from Moscow to St Petersburg has been derailed, probably by an improvised bomb, officials have said.

At least 60 people have been injured, and 27 taken to hospital.

An investigation has been opened into possible terrorist activity after a crater was found under the train.

It is not clear who planted the suspected device. Chechen rebels have carried out no violent attacks outside southern Russia for at least a year.

The driver reportedly heard a loud bang before the train derailed.

The crater reportedly measures about 1.5m (5 feet) in diameter and was found underneath one of the carriages.

Officials said an "improvised explosive device" had probably caused the explosion.

"A criminal case has been opened under article 205, clause 3, that is terrorism," said Sergei Bednichenko, chief prosecutor for Russia's north-west district.

The engine and 12 carriages of the train came off the rails just as it was about to cross a river bridge, Russian Railways said on its website, adding that 800m of track had been badly damaged.

The incident occurred near the village of Malaya Vishera in Novgorod region, about 500km (310 miles) north of Moscow.

The line between Moscow and St Petersburg is one of the country's busiest.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6945261.stm

This rail goes right near my house..

Yikes. Forgive me for my ignorance Dzerod, but what started the feud between Chechnya and the Russian government? Is it likely this was caused by Chechen rebels?

Yikes. Forgive me for my ignorance Dzerod, but what started the feud between Chechnya and the Russian government? Is it likely this was caused by Chechen rebels?
I don't think so.
In a few words.. The war began after Chechnya claimed independence from Russia (on the wave of all-soviet collapse), but it was not recognized. The negotiations failed, and the military operation was held. But it was extremely badly planned and Chechnya became de-facto independent, land of kidnapping, smuggling and murdering. Putin made a second operation which was success, because most part of warlords came to russian side. Now almost all of those, who didnt give up are destroyed. There were no big operations on Caucasus since Beslan massacre.
What's more, if it were chechens, they would comment immideatly and take responsibility for this act. But there is even nobody to comment.

One of popular versions says that it could be somehow connected with head of Russian Railways, who wants to become a president in 2008. Maybe somebody didn't like that and decided to harm his reputation. Very hard to say..

But still... you can't certainly denie other versions..

One of popular versions says that it could be somehow connected with head of Russian Railways, who wants to become a president in 2008. Maybe somebody didn't like that and decided to harm his reputation. Very hard to say..

Is Putin running for re-election or is there a limit on the number of terms he can serve? If there isn't...well, one would have to look into it.

Is Putin running for re-election or is there a limit on the number of terms he can serve? If there isn't...well, one would have to look into it.
There is a limit for 2 4-year terms, and Putin said many times that he is not going to change constitution. There are several candidates (Boris Yakunin, head of railways is one of them) for being Putin's "favorite" on future elections - Putin is so popular among people that it is clear that anyone who will be granted with his support will become next president. It could be some conflict between possible candidates.

Geez Dzerod...sorry to hear about that.

waste of explosives. use a damn railroad spike instead.