Icy track to blame for Beijing commuter train failure, more than 100 injured
- Most of the Changping line operating again by Friday morning, but with fewer trains and slower services because of the extreme weather
- 515 people were sent to hospital after the incident, with 67 people admitted and numerous fractures treated
More than 100 people were injured when carriages detached from a train on a busy commuter line in China’s capital on Thursday evening, according to the Beijing Municipal Commission of Transport.
Initial investigations indicated the train came to an emergency stop after a signal downgrade. The sloping terrain caused the carriages to slip on the icy rails and collide, the commission said on Friday.
As of Friday morning, 67 people had been hospitalised, while 25 remained under observation. A total of 515 people were sent to hospital, 102 with bone fractures, the commission said, adding that 423 had been sent home.
The Changping line was back in operation on Friday, with shuttle buses running between Xierqi and Zhuxinzhuang stations, where the malfunction happened, according to a Beijing Subway statement.
“Most of the line will operate as usual on Friday and passengers will be able to change to Line 8 and Line 13 to travel to the central part of the city,” the subway authorities said.
Fewer trains would also be operating, and at slower speeds, to ensure safety while the severe weather continued, the statement added.
Northern China has been hit by a heavy snowstorm in recent days, with residents in the Chinese capital advised to stay indoors. School and outdoor entertainment facilities are closed.