The derailment in eastern India that killed 275 people and injured hundreds was caused by an error in the electronic signalling system that led a train to wrongly change tracks and crash into a freight train, officials said Sunday.
Authorities worked to clear the mangled wreckage of the two passenger trains that derailed Friday night in Balasore district in Odisha state in one of the country's deadliest rail disasters in decades.
The passenger trains, carrying 2,296 people, were not overspeeding, she said. Trains that carry goods are often parked on an adjacent loop line so the main line is clear for a passing train. "The system is 99.9% error free. But 0.1% chances are always there for an error," Verma said. To a question whether the crash could be a case of sabotage, she said"nothing is ruled out."
At one of the hospitals nearly 15 kilometres from the site, survivors spoke of the horror of the moment of the crash. For hours, Mahato, 37, remained stuck in the train's bathroom, before rescuers scaled up the wreckage and pulled him out. Fifteen bodies were recovered on Saturday evening and efforts continued overnight with heavy cranes being used to remove an engine that settled on top of a rail car. No bodies were found in the engine and the work was completed on Sunday morning, said Sudhanshu Sarangi, director-general of fire and emergency services in Odisha.
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
India train crash that killed 275 caused by signaling system error, official saysDetailed investigation will reveal whether the error was human or technical
Read more »
Passenger train derails in India, at least 179 people reported injuredA passenger train derailed in eastern India on Wednesday, trapping many people inside its derailed coaches, officials said. More than 170 people were injured and taken to hospitals, according to media reports.
Read more »
At least 30 reportedly dead, 179 injured in train collision in eastern IndiaThe Coromandel Express, which runs from Kolkata to Chennai, derailed after the collision and fell on the opposite track, reports say
Read more »
Attention drivers: DVP and Gardiner will both be closed to traffic on SundayThousands of cyclists will be taking over the Gardiner Expressway and the Don Valley Parkway this weekend, likely creating headaches for drivers in the process.
Read more »
Carleton Place hospital closing emergency department for 16 hours starting Sunday afternoonA nursing staff shortage has prompted the move, the regional health alliance announced Friday.
Read more »