Train crash in Tanzania: hundreds dead

The train crash in Tanzania on Monday has reportedly claimed over 200 lives, according to international news sources, while the number of passengers initially reported appears to be far higher, giving rise to the fear that the number of victims could rise over the coming days.

A passenger train carrying around 1,600 passengers was climbing a steep hill in the province of Dodoma, central Tanzania, when its brakes failed and it slid backwards, crashing into a goods train which was following behind.

Several of the carriages were completely destroyed in the accident and eye witnesses claimed that hundreds of people were buried in the wreckage.

Initial reports of 100 deaths were soon increased to at least 200 and the figure could increase sharply in the coming hours.

Timothy BANCROFT-HINCHEY PRAVDA.Ru