14 dead, hundreds injured as train derails in South Africa (PHOTOS)
Fourteen people have been killed in a collision involving a train in South Africa’s Free State province, according to a train service official cited by Reuters.
Emergency services posted details of the accident on Twitter, stating that initial reports indicated at least 100 had been injured. The number of injured was later revised to 260.
The incident occurred between the towns of Hennenman and Kroonstad.
The death toll has risen from earlier reports of four up to 14, and may increase. "It is not yet confirmed but the death toll for now is sitting at 14." Daisy Daniel, spokesperson for Shosholoza Meyl, said.
Free State: Approximately 40 injured and 4 fatalities at the train crash in Kroonstad area. @OFM9497@Beeld_Nuus@City_Press@SABCNewsOnline@SowetanLIVE@SAfmnews@ewnupdates@News24@TheStar_news@TheMercurySA@FatalMoves@TrafficSApic.twitter.com/OMTSpDAcsz
— Netcare911 (@Netcare911_sa) January 4, 2018
Pictures of the early train collision between Hennenman and Kroonstad, FS. Services are still on scene. @ewnupdates@eNCA@_ArriveAlive@jour_maine@SABCNewsOnline@OFM9497@JacaNews@News24_SApic.twitter.com/yTyO2NYYMt
— ER24 EMS (Pty) Ltd. (@ER24EMS) January 4, 2018
ER24, and other services, on scene of a train accident between Hennenman and Kroonstad, FS. Initial reports of approximately 100 patients. Further updates to follow. @ewnupdates@eNCA@OFMNews9497@jour_maine@SABCNewsOnline@_ArriveAlive@JacaNews
— ER24 EMS (Pty) Ltd. (@ER24EMS) January 4, 2018
Local media report that the train caught fire after colliding with a truck and another vehicle. Images shared on social media show significant damage to the train.
— Tiaan Esterhuizen (@tiaanest) January 4, 2018
— Tiaan Esterhuizen (@tiaanest) January 4, 2018
The train, operated by Shosholoza Meyl, was reportedly on its way from Port Elizabeth to Johannesburg.
