14 killed in train derailment

14 killed in train derailment

JAKARTA (JP): At least 14 people died and dozens of others
were injured when a cargo train derailed at Jembatan Tinggi,
Lembah Anai, West Sumatra on Wednesday.

The cause of the derailment remains unclear.

Antara reported that the use of the railway in the area has
risen in the past week due to the closure of main roads
connecting Bukittinggi and Padang Panjang with Padang Pariaman
and the provincial capital of Padang.

The roads have been closed since Monday for repairs and are
not expected to be open again until Friday.

The train, which was transporting coal, was heading for Kayu
Tanam in Padang Pariaman municipality from Padang Panjang.

Most of the victims, teenagers and students, were said to have
been crushed to death by the cargo.

A policeman in Padang Pariaman, Warrant Officer Azharem, said
despite the availability of regular passenger trains many still
sneak rides on cargo trains which are not designed to carry
passengers.

"They sit or stand in the space between the cars," he
explained. (09)