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)