At least 11 killed as passenger train collides with cargo train in India

"A passenger train has crashed into a cargo train in central India, killing at least 11 people. The local passenger train hit the cargo train from behind near the city of Bilaspur, about 115 kilometres (70 miles) northeast of Chhattisgarh's state capital of Raipur on Tuesday night, senior government official Sanjay Agarwal told The Associated Press. One of the passenger carriages ended up on top of a wagon from the cargo train, Agarwal added."

"The rescue team brought the carriage down to the ground after hours of work and used iron cutters to cut it open, finding another three dead bodies, he said. The rescue and recovery operation ended early Wednesday, and movement of trains through the accident site has resumed, the official said. Among those declared dead was the driver of the passenger train. It's co-driver, a woman, was critically injured and admitted to a private hospital, Agarwal said."

"About 20 people were injured in the accident and are being treated at local hospitals. In a statement, network operator Indian Railways said it inquiry into the cause of the accident has been started. It also announced financial aid for families of the deceased and the injured. Chhattisgarh's highest-elected official Vishnu Deo Sai offered his condolences to the bereaved families."

A passenger train rear-ended a cargo train near Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, late Tuesday, killing at least 11 people. One passenger carriage landed atop a cargo wagon, and rescue teams used iron cutters to free trapped victims, recovering three additional bodies. Rescue and recovery operations concluded early Wednesday, and train movement through the site has resumed. About 20 people were injured and are being treated at local hospitals. The passenger train driver was among the dead; the co-driver, a woman, was critically injured and hospitalized. Indian Railways opened an inquiry and announced financial aid for families of the deceased and injured. Officials noted that several hundred railway accidents occur annually in India.

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