HIKKADUWA: At least three commuters died and 12 others injured when the Matara-bound Rajarata Rejina train from Anuradhapura derailed in Hikkaduwa yesterday around 12.30 p.m. A nine-year-old child was reported missing.
The train which left Colombo Fort last morning at 10.30 was derailed between Hikkaduwa and Seenigama on the Thotagamuwa bridge.
“The last three compartments of the Rajarata train had been derailed and two of them were on the bridge, causing serious damage,” Galle SSP Keerthi de Silva said. A fibre optic signal cable has also been damaged. “When the train derailed, some commuters who had been thrown into the river drowned. Navy divers are looking for any missing persons” he told the Daily News.
General Manager Railways Dr. Lalithasiri Gunaruwan said all senior officers of the Railways are at the scene. They will investigate the cause of the accident but it was still to early to come to a conclusion. He extended his sympathies to the families of the deceased and the injured.
The injured were admitted to the Karapitiya hospital.
All coastal trains were terminated temporarily at Ambalangoda.
The line is being renovated speedily.
They will operate a shuttle service between Ambalangoda and Matara.
The train which left Colombo Fort last morning at 10.30 was derailed between Hikkaduwa and Seenigama on the Thotagamuwa bridge.
“The last three compartments of the Rajarata train had been derailed and two of them were on the bridge, causing serious damage,” Galle SSP Keerthi de Silva said. A fibre optic signal cable has also been damaged. “When the train derailed, some commuters who had been thrown into the river drowned. Navy divers are looking for any missing persons” he told the Daily News.
General Manager Railways Dr. Lalithasiri Gunaruwan said all senior officers of the Railways are at the scene. They will investigate the cause of the accident but it was still to early to come to a conclusion. He extended his sympathies to the families of the deceased and the injured.
The injured were admitted to the Karapitiya hospital.
All coastal trains were terminated temporarily at Ambalangoda.
The line is being renovated speedily.
They will operate a shuttle service between Ambalangoda and Matara.
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