Indian train derailment kills at least 9
Last Updated: Saturday, November 14, 2009 | 2:05 AM ET
The Associated Press
A speeding train derailed in western India early Saturday, killing at least nine people and injuring more than 80.
Fifteen coaches of the New Delhi-bound train flew off the tracks when its driver suddenly applied the brakes because of poor visibility in the region, said Vipin Kumar Pande, a police superintendent.
The accident occurred near Banshkov, a village about 40 kilometres south of Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan state.
A broken piece of track pierced an air-conditioned coach and killed some passengers, Pande said.
Rescuers had to cut open some of the coaches to free trapped passengers. The injured were taken to a nearby hospital.
Accidents are common on India's sprawling rail network — one of the world's largest — with most blamed on poor maintenance. Last month, a passenger train crashed into another train's rear carriage in northern India, killing 22 people and injuring 16 near Agra, the home of the Taj Mahal.
