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German monorail accident kills 23 Deadly crash on German monorail
(about 3 hours later)
Twenty-three people died and 10 were injured in a crash involving an elevated magnetic train on a test track in north-western Germany. Twenty-three people died and 10 were injured when an elevated magnetic train ploughed into a maintenance vehicle in north-western Germany.
The death toll rose after rescue workers continued searching in and around the train.
The train, which floats on a monorail via a magnetic levitation system called maglev, was going at nearly 200km/h (120 mph) when it crashed near Lathen.The train, which floats on a monorail via a magnetic levitation system called maglev, was going at nearly 200km/h (120 mph) when it crashed near Lathen.
The driverless train hit a maintenance vehicle on the track, officials said. Damaged carriages were left balancing on track 5m (16ft) in the air, hampering rescue efforts.
Some carriages were left balancing on a section of track about 5m (16.5ft) in the air after the accident. "Today we are in mourning," said Chancellor Angela Merkel at the scene.
name="top"> The accident happened at about 1000 (0800 GMT), on a 31.8km (20 miles) test track from Lathen to Doerpenwhich is used for tourist trips and to demonstrate the technology.
The accident happened at about 1000 (0800 GMT). Emergency workers used fire ladders and cranes to reach the carriages. Several metres below, the ground was strewn with wreckage.
href="#graphic" class="">How Maglev trains work onClick="javascript:launchAVConsoleStory('5371772'); return false;" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/help/3681938.stm">Footage of a maglev 'Human error'
The test track from Lathen to Doerpen is 31.8km (20 miles) long and tourists regularly go on trips along it. Reports said up to 30 passengers on the train - mostly employees working on the system and staff from a local utility company, RWE.
The maintenance vehicle hit by the train had two crew members.
A spokesman for IABG, the company which operates the train, said the accident had been caused by human error, rather than a technical fault.
How Maglev trains work Footage of a maglev Ms Merkel arrived by helicopter near the scene. Dressed in black, she extended condolences to the victims and their families: "I want to show that I am with them," she said.
The Transrapid system, run by Siemens, is capable of speeds of up to 450km/h (280mph).The Transrapid system, run by Siemens, is capable of speeds of up to 450km/h (280mph).
The only commercial example of a Transrapid system in operation is the high-speed shuttle to China's Shanghai airport from the city centre.The only commercial example of a Transrapid system in operation is the high-speed shuttle to China's Shanghai airport from the city centre.
It was developed by Transrapid International, a joint venture between Siemens AG and ThyssenKrupp.It was developed by Transrapid International, a joint venture between Siemens AG and ThyssenKrupp.
German Transport Minister Wolfgang Tiefensee, who is in China, has cancelled his trip and is now on his way back to Germany.German Transport Minister Wolfgang Tiefensee, who is in China, has cancelled his trip and is now on his way back to Germany.
In August, a fire broke out on a Transrapid train in Shanghai, adding to concerns about the safety of the technology. In August, a fire broke out on a Transrapid train in Shanghai, adding to concerns about the safety of the technology.
The German companies are keen to make Transrapid an export hit and negotiations are under way about building another link in China, and also in Munich, the BBC's Tristana Moore reports from Berlin.The German companies are keen to make Transrapid an export hit and negotiations are under way about building another link in China, and also in Munich, the BBC's Tristana Moore reports from Berlin.
HOW MAGLEV TRAINS WORK Opposite poles on magnets keep train above trackTrain is propelled by electro-magnetic system in the sides of the "guideway" instead of onboard engineTop speed (with passengers) - 450km/h (280mph)Developed by Transrapid Int in GermanyOperating commercially in ShanghaiTest facility in Emsland, northern Germany, is longest of its kind at 31.5km (19.5 miles) Source: Transrapid InternationalHOW MAGLEV TRAINS WORK Opposite poles on magnets keep train above trackTrain is propelled by electro-magnetic system in the sides of the "guideway" instead of onboard engineTop speed (with passengers) - 450km/h (280mph)Developed by Transrapid Int in GermanyOperating commercially in ShanghaiTest facility in Emsland, northern Germany, is longest of its kind at 31.5km (19.5 miles) Source: Transrapid International
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