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British tourists killed as India train derails | British tourists killed as India train derails |
(35 minutes later) | |
At least two British tourists have been killed and at least five people are injured after a train derailed in northern India, officials have said. | |
The specially-chartered train, which had been organised to carry a group of 37 British tourists, was travelling to the Indian Himalayan town of Shimla. | The specially-chartered train, which had been organised to carry a group of 37 British tourists, was travelling to the Indian Himalayan town of Shimla. |
The Kalka to Shimla mountain line is a Unesco world heritage site and popular tourist attraction. | The Kalka to Shimla mountain line is a Unesco world heritage site and popular tourist attraction. |
It is thought the train came off the rails shortly after it left Kalka. | It is thought the train came off the rails shortly after it left Kalka. |
York-based company Great Rail Journeys confirmed one of its groups had been involved in the incident, adding "very little" was known but its representatives were at the scene. | York-based company Great Rail Journeys confirmed one of its groups had been involved in the incident, adding "very little" was known but its representatives were at the scene. |
"A number of people in the group have been hospitalised," it said in a statement. | "A number of people in the group have been hospitalised," it said in a statement. |
A police spokesman said at least two tourists were killed instantly and rail officials are quoted as saying at least five people have been wounded. | |
The injured were taken to a hospital in the nearby city of Chandigarh, a police spokesman said. | |
The train derailed as it left Kalka at about 13:20 local time, according to reports in India. | The train derailed as it left Kalka at about 13:20 local time, according to reports in India. |
It had been rounding a curve when three coaches derailed, Neeraj Sharma, a railway official, told the AP news agency. | |
A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "Following a train crash in Haryana [the northern India state where the incident happened], we are urgently looking into reports of British nationals affected and stand ready to provide consular support." | A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "Following a train crash in Haryana [the northern India state where the incident happened], we are urgently looking into reports of British nationals affected and stand ready to provide consular support." |
Dinesh Kumar, divisional railway manager of Northern Railways, told the Times of India the cause of the incident was not immediately clear and an inquiry had been ordered. | Dinesh Kumar, divisional railway manager of Northern Railways, told the Times of India the cause of the incident was not immediately clear and an inquiry had been ordered. |
He said the train had four carriages and had been hired by tourists, adding: "The special train was booked through an agent." | He said the train had four carriages and had been hired by tourists, adding: "The special train was booked through an agent." |
'Unclear situation' | |
Great Rail Journeys said it was sending three senior members of its team to the scene, along with a qualified counsellor. | |
An updated statement would be issued when more information becomes available and can be verified, it said, adding the situation at present was "unclear". | |
The company, which takes about 2,500 people to India annually, said the tour had left for the country on 10 September and was due to finish on 22 September. | |
The 96km narrow-gauge Kalka-Shimla Railway, often called the toy train line, was opened in 1903 to connect Shimla, the summer capital of British India, with the northern plains. | |
The railway climbs more than 4,000ft through the Himalayan foothills, and is famous for its many bridges, tunnels and panoramic views. | The railway climbs more than 4,000ft through the Himalayan foothills, and is famous for its many bridges, tunnels and panoramic views. |
Are you in northern India? Were you in the area when this incident happened? If you are safe and willing to share your story please email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Are you in northern India? Were you in the area when this incident happened? If you are safe and willing to share your story please email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
Please include your telephone number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. | Please include your telephone number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. |
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