WEB DESK: Eleven people lost their lives and two others sustained injuries early Thursday when a test train struck a group of workers at a station in China’s Yunnan province.
The incident took place in Kunming during seismic equipment testing, triggering an immediate emergency response.
Kunming Railway Station confirmed the tragic event, stating that a train testing seismic detection equipment collided with railway workers on the tracks. The accident occurred at a curved section within Luoyang Town Railway Station, situated in Kunming, the provincial capital.
According to reports from China Central Television (CCTV), the workers had entered the track area when the test train approached, resulting in the fatal collision.
Railway authorities promptly initiated an emergency response plan, collaborating with local government teams to carry out rescue operations and provide medical care. Two workers survived but were hospitalized with injuries, officials noted.
Later in the day, normal operations at the railway station resumed. Authorities emphasized that medical treatment for the injured and follow-up procedures were being handled in an “orderly manner.”
An official investigation is now underway to ascertain the exact cause of the collision. Initial findings suggest that the workers were on the curved section of track before the train’s approach, though investigators are still examining all related factors.
The railway department expressed its commitment to learning from the incident and implementing measures to enhance rail safety and stability. This includes tightening oversight of testing operations and enforcing stricter safety protocols to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
