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Soweto outside Johannesburg, where the crash occurred shortly before 6pm local time yesterday. Google Maps
South Africa

Hundreds injured in South Africa train crash

Two trains collided in the township of Soweto outside Johannesburg at rush hour yesterday, causing hundreds of injuries.

OVER 850 PEOPLE have been injured in a collision between two trains during rush hour in Soweto, Johannesburg, yesterday. Two of those are believed to be critically injured.

An investigation into the cause of the collision has been launched, but the Railway Safety Regulator said today that one of the trains was stationary when it was struck by the other, the AFP reports.

Most of those injured in the crash were treated at the scene for minor injuries. Witnesses said they saw people with broken limbs and head injuries. South Africa’s Globe and Mail reports that emergency service workers described chaos at the scene of the crash and said that “passengers from both trains were lying on the track” when they arrived.

News24 reports that the South African government wished those involved in the accident “a speedy recovery” and thanked the emergency services for a swift response to the crash.

About two million people travel on South Africa’s commuter rail services every day. The number of passengers who were on board the trains at the time of the crash is not known.