A fatal train accident occurred on Thursday morning in the commune of Chimbarongo, located in Chile’s O'Higgins Region.

According to eyewitness reports, one person was killed when the driver of a smaller vehicle attempted to cross the railway line and was struck by a Santiago–Chillán passenger train.

The State Railways Company (EFE) expressed deep regret over the incident. In a statement, the company confirmed that the accident took place at kilometer 146 of the railway line, at a protected level crossing equipped with fully operational safety barriers.

"For reasons still under investigation, the vehicle is believed to have bypassed the safety barriers and entered the crossing just as the train was passing," EFE stated.

The company added that emergency protocols were immediately activated, allowing for the safe and coordinated transfer of passengers to buses. All relevant information has been provided to the Public Prosecutor's Office to assist in the investigation.

EFE once again urged the public to exercise caution near railway crossings, emphasizing the importance of stopping, looking, listening, and obeying all traffic signals.