Two dead and 31 injured: a train conductor has been detained in Russia following a train crash (photo).

A train driver of a freight train has been detained in Russia after colliding with a passenger train near the Knyazha station in the Kandalaksha district of the Murmansk region. He is suspected of violating safety regulations in railway operations, which resulted in the deaths of two individuals, reports "RT in Russian," citing the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation.

Along with the train driver, his assistant has also been detained. This was reported by "RIA Novosti."

It is known that a total of 31 people were injured in the accident, including five children. Additionally, two fatalities have been confirmed.

As informed by Meduza — LIVE, citing the press service of Russian Railways, one of the injured has died in the hospital. Fourteen individuals remain hospitalized, with four in critical condition.

Accident in the Murmansk region: what we know

Recall that on Wednesday, December 18, two trains collided in the Murmansk region. The accident occurred near the Knyazha station, where a freight train collided with a two-story passenger train traveling from Murmansk to St. Petersburg. Three carriages of the passenger train derailed, along with some freight train carriages.

At the time of the accident, there were 326 people on board the passenger train. Initially, 14 injuries were reported, and another woman died in the ambulance after being trapped between the carriages.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the cause of the accident was a malfunction in the freight train. A criminal case has been initiated.

It was previously reported that the freight train driver was not present at the scene during the accident — he was repairing a broken pantograph. The train remained on the tracks waiting for assistance. An hour later, the brakes failed, causing it to roll onto another track.

Additionally, it was reported that the Armed Forces of Ukraine attacked a chemical plant in the Rostov region that produces rocket fuel. This facility is one of the largest chemical enterprises in Russia.