Toll in Vietnam's worst train accident since 1975 rises to 13
HANOI - The toll in Vietnam's worst train crash since 1975 rose to 13 dead and at least 100 injured, a day after the accident in central Da Nang province, officials said.
The train carrying about 400 people was travelling between the capital Hanoi and southern Ho Chi Minh City when it derailed Sunday near the Hai Van Pass around noon Saturday, overturning eight of its 13 cars, a railway official in Da Nang city said.
Nine people were killed on the spot while four others later died of their injuries and about 100 others were receiving medical treatment.
"We are conducting an investigation into the cause of the accident. We know that the train was travelling at high speed when rounding a curve," he said.
Rescuers were forced to use boats to reach the site of the crash and used dozens of fishing boats to transport the wounded from the area.
According to state media, many of the victims were rescued by local people before government rescuers arrived at the scene.
The rail link between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh has been suspended as a result.
Agence France Presse - March 12, 2005.
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