Kalistani Major History

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The Empress has Died
Earthquake south of Mount Su destroys portion of Maglev train killing 42
Near Mt. Su, Grand Duchy of Ananto
February 17, 5528


Ananto Rail Cars derailed when an earthquake triggered landslide destroyed a 300 foot section of track in Mt. Su

Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Nicolette II has died. Her Husband, Prince Consort Bjorn is in critical but stable condition in Eveari Medical Center. Both were involved in a tragic derailment of the AnantoRail maglev passenger train which was returning them to their home in Eveari this afternoon. The train derailment was the result of a landslide in the Mt. Su region of the Davon Mountains that was caused by heavier than normal winter rains and a magnitude 7.3 earthquake more than 15 miles away. The landslide covered the track only moments before the train passed, causing it to collide at more than 300 miles per hour and driving it off the track and into a 50 foot deep valley below. Also killed were 41 other passengers travelling from Kaliburg to Eveari, while more than 200 others were seriously injured.

The Empress, who was riding in the front of the train, was said to have been killed instantly in the crash, while Prince-Consort Bjorn survived due to his being two cars behind the royal coach. It was more than 30 minutes before first responders could make it into the remote area where the train crash had occured, due to the damage caused by the earthquakes to service and forest roads in the area, and once on the scene, triage and life flights began for the worst injured, including His Highness the Prince Consort.

The Crown Prince, Fredrick, was in Eveari and was uninjured in the earthquake. Members of the acting Government of Kalistan, including Acting Chancellor Lord Stephen Wilkes, has called His Highness, Duke Victor Ananto to return to Kalistan from his vacation in Gaduridos, to consult about next steps to ensure continuity of the monarchy. It is expected that Duke Victor will fulfill his pledge to serve as regent for the Crown Prince until Prince Fredrick reaches the age of majority, or until Prince Consort Bjorn recovers to the point where he can weigh in on the matter.

Her Imperial Majesty Empress Nicolette II Ananto last year in Eveari

The earthquake which caused the damage was part of a complex of earthquakes in the northern Green Mountains that have been occurring over the last several years. So far, most of the quakes have been confined to unpopulated areas in the Green Mountains. This quake, which was centered more than a mile and a half below the surface, was severe enough to trigger the landslide by loosening the cliff face which had been weakened by heavy rains that have hit the region this winter.

Empress Nicolette II Ananto was age 52. She is survived by her Husband, Prince Consort Bjorn, her brother His Highness Victor Ananto-Martin Duke Suldanor, and son His Highness Fredrick-Bjornsson William Ananto-Nordholm Crown Prince Ananto and Kalistan. Funeral Announcements for the Empress are expected from the Chancellery in the coming days.