21 killed by machinery sticking out of passing train

Twenty-one people have been killed in China after they were hit by a piece of machinery sticking out of a train.

Part of an oil rig slipped and hung outside the frame of the train. It hit villagers walking along the sides of the tracks on a bridge in Sichuan province.

The dislodged machinery knocked down every electricity pole and signal post until it stopped 16km later at Bamiao station.

The driver was unaware of the problem and kept driving, according to reports.

The train was travelling from Chengdu to Daxian. The bridge which was damaged in the accident links Nanchong city and Daxian city.

Xinhua news agency said: "A transmitter box of an oil-drilling control platform fell from its secured position and stuck out of the frame of the cargo train.

"The railway bridge and its signal equipment were damaged and 21 people, who were enjoying an evening stroll on the bridge, were killed and 18 injured."

The Ministry of Railways is investigating the tragedy.