India: 16 dead, 50 hurt in train crash

At least 16 people were killed and 50 injured when a freight train on the wrong track slammed into a stationary passenger locomotive at a railway station amid heavy rain in central India today, officials said.

Rail official RS Yadav said the death toll could rise as the debris is cleared.

The crash happened at Bhaderwah station, 375km south of the Indian capital, New Delhi.

Mr Yadave said the freight train was on the wrong track and hit the passenger train head-on.

Railway spokesman KK Dube said at least 50 passengers were injured, 10 of them seriously, in the first two coaches of the train.

Accidents are common on India’s sprawling rail network, one of the world’s largest, but lacking in modern signalling and communication systems.