Promonte Helps Victims

Montenegro is still in mourning as at least 45 people were killed and another 200, among them 105 children, were injured last Monday afternoon when four cars of a passenger train derailed and plunged 50 meters into a river canyon at Bioce, some 15 kilometres north of the Montenegrin capital Podgorica.

Financial support

In response to the terrible accident that shook the tiny republic, Promonte, Montenegro's number one mobile operator, which is owned by Telenor, decided to donate EUR 60.000 to provide immediate support to the families of the victims.

Shortly after, Telenor followed up Promonte's initiative with a separate donation of another EUR 60.000.

SMS donations

In addition to this, Promonte also made it possible for all its customers to make donations to the victims by sending a SMS to a four-digit number at the cost of EUR 1 (VAT included).

Funds gathered from SMS will be transferred to the Solidarity Fond, which the Government of Montenegro opened for gathering funds for the victims of the railroad accident.

Direct help

Promonte also provided direct assistance at the scene of the accident with people and electric converters to provide lighting as the rescue teams continued their efforts in the increasing darkness.

"Promonte's swift assistance to the rescue operation and our donation to the victims of this tragic accident has been well received by the media and public. Telenor's consideration and contribution has been noticed in particular," said Promonte CEO Ivar Sliper.

Promonte GSM was established in 1996 and was Montenegro's first mobile operator. Telenor became part owner in 1996 and acquired a 100 per cent ownership in August 2004.

"Serbia and Montenegro's rail network has suffered from years of under-investment but is used by much of the population simply because it is the cheapest method of travel," said BBC's Balkans correspondent Matt Prodger.