This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34232974
The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 4 | Version 5 |
---|---|
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 five people injured after a train derailed in northern India, officials have said. | |
The specially-chartered train, which had been carrying a group of 37 British tourists, was travelling to the Indian Himalayan town of Shimla. | |
The Kalka-Shimla line is a Unesco world heritage site and tourist attraction. | The Kalka-Shimla line is a Unesco world heritage site and tourist attraction. |
Two carriages of the train derailed near Kalka station at about 13:20 local time, one rail official told the BBC. | Two carriages of the train derailed near Kalka station at about 13:20 local time, one rail official told the BBC. |
Indian Railways spokesman Anil Saxena added the British tourists who died were both women. | Indian Railways spokesman Anil Saxena added the British tourists who died were both women. |
'Rounding bend' | 'Rounding bend' |
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. |
It confirmed a total of 37 people had been on board, including the company's tour manager. | |
"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. |
The injured were taken to a hospital in the nearby city of Chandigarh, a police spokesman said. | The injured were taken to a hospital in the nearby city of Chandigarh, a police spokesman said. |
The train had been rounding a curve when the coaches derailed, Neeraj Sharma, a railway official, told the AP news agency. | |
The UK Foreign Office 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." | The UK Foreign Office 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' | 'Unclear situation' |
Great Rail Journeys said it was sending three senior members of its team to the scene, along with a two qualified counsellors. | |
An updated statement will be issued when more information becomes available and can be verified, it said, adding that 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 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 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. |
You can also contact us in the following ways: | You can also contact us in the following ways: |
Read the terms and conditions. | Read the terms and conditions. |
Or use the form below | Or use the form below |