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Hundreds injured in train crash in Soweto, South Africa Soweto, South Africa, train crash injured hundreds
(about 1 hour later)
More than 850 people have been injured in a train crash during Thursday's evening rush hour in the South African township of Soweto in Johannesburg, the train operator Metrorail has said.More than 850 people have been injured in a train crash during Thursday's evening rush hour in the South African township of Soweto in Johannesburg, the train operator Metrorail has said.
Witnesses said a commuter train hit a stationary train from behind and that the force threw some of the passengers through the windows. A commuter train hit a stationary one from behind, the force of which threw some passengers through windows.
Three of the casualties were in a critical condition, officials said.Three of the casualties were in a critical condition, officials said.
It is reported to be one of the biggest such rail incidents for years. Correspondents say most of the injured were treated at the scene, in one of the biggest rail incidents for years.
According to the authorities, 25 of the injured are still in hospital.
South Africa's Railway Safety Regulator (RSR) said it was investigating the cause of the crash, which occurred at 1750 local time (1350 GMT).South Africa's Railway Safety Regulator (RSR) said it was investigating the cause of the crash, which occurred at 1750 local time (1350 GMT).
'Screaming' 'Chaos'
Local television news pictures showed casualties being treated at the scene by medics - some of them tended to by torchlight.Local television news pictures showed casualties being treated at the scene by medics - some of them tended to by torchlight.
Metrorail, which is responsible for running the trains and is heading the salvage operation, told the BBC that 857 people had been injured in the accident.Metrorail, which is responsible for running the trains and is heading the salvage operation, told the BBC that 857 people had been injured in the accident.
Medical rescue official Jeff Wicks told the Sapa news agency there had been "chaos" at the scene.Medical rescue official Jeff Wicks told the Sapa news agency there had been "chaos" at the scene.
"We had people who were sprayed 200m around the trains... on arrival, paramedics found passengers from both trains lying on the track," he said."We had people who were sprayed 200m around the trains... on arrival, paramedics found passengers from both trains lying on the track," he said.
According to Pretoria News, people lay groaning in the dark, with some waiting more than an hour before being transported to hospital.According to Pretoria News, people lay groaning in the dark, with some waiting more than an hour before being transported to hospital.
Synock Matobako, a spokesman for the emergency services, said they had had to request more ambulances due to the number of casualties. Synock Matobako, a spokesman for the emergency services, said they had had to request more ambulances because of the number of casualties.
"This is the biggest incident in recent years, even though no one has died. People sustained serious multiple injuries." "This is the biggest incident in recent years, even though no-one has died. People sustained serious multiple injuries."
Fire rumour
Evason Mogomotsi, who was on the train, told the BBC he was dozing on the train and woke up when it crashed.Evason Mogomotsi, who was on the train, told the BBC he was dozing on the train and woke up when it crashed.
"After the crash, people started screaming and many were trying to get out of the train," he said."After the crash, people started screaming and many were trying to get out of the train," he said.
"There was also a rumour that the other train had caught on fire so people were trying to escape."There was also a rumour that the other train had caught on fire so people were trying to escape.
"Some people were even trying to stand on the people who had fallen in order to get out of the train.""Some people were even trying to stand on the people who had fallen in order to get out of the train."
Another passenger, Gladwell Ntusi, said some people jumped out of the windows.Another passenger, Gladwell Ntusi, said some people jumped out of the windows.
"It was horrible, I saw people with broken legs, others had cracked their temples. It was not a nice scene," he told reporters."It was horrible, I saw people with broken legs, others had cracked their temples. It was not a nice scene," he told reporters.
The Metrorail train had been travelling between Mzimhlophe and Phomolong in Soweto.The Metrorail train had been travelling between Mzimhlophe and Phomolong in Soweto.
More than two million passengers travel daily on South Africa's commuter trains.
Were you in Soweto when this happened? Did you witness this event? Let us know by filling in the form below.Were you in Soweto when this happened? Did you witness this event? Let us know by filling in the form below.