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Iran train crash in Semnan province kills at least 31 Iran trains crash in Semnan province killing dozens
(about 3 hours later)
At least 31 people have been killed and dozens more injured in a train collision in northern Iran, officials say. At least 35 people have been killed and dozens more injured in a train collision in northern Iran.
Four carriages derailed and two caught fire after an intercity express broke down between stations and was hit by another train early on Friday. Four carriages derailed and two caught fire when a train that had broken down was hit by another train.
The accident happened in subzero temperatures about 250km (150 miles) east of the capital, Tehran. The accident happened in freezing temperatures early on Friday, 250km (150 miles) east of the capital Tehran.
Four of the fatalities were railway employees, state media report. The rescue effort is being hampered by the remote location, officials say. President Hassan Rouhani has ordered an inquiry into the cause of the crash.
"The bodies of 31 dead have been identified and more than 70 people hospitalised," State Governor Mohammad Reza Khabbaz told local media.
A mechanical failure had forced the intercity express train to stop between stations, the governor said.
The crash occurred in Iran's northern province of Semnan, on the main line between Tehran and Mashhad in the north-east.The crash occurred in Iran's northern province of Semnan, on the main line between Tehran and Mashhad in the north-east.
Red Crescent Director Hassan Shokrollahi said rescue efforts were hampered by the remote location of the crash site. State Governor Mohammad Reza Khabbaz said a mechanical failure caused by the extreme cold had forced the intercity express train to stop between stations.
"Due to the difficulty of access, only our helicopter has managed to reach the scene," he said. The head of the province's Red Crescent Hassan Shokrollahi said: "Because of the difficulty of access, only our helicopter has managed to reach the scene."
The injured were taken to hospitals in Semnan and Damghan. More than 70 people have been taken to hospitals and the death toll is expected to rise, officials say.