[Update] Cameroon train derailment: 75 dead, over 500 injured

75 are reported dead and about 600 people injured in Friday’s train derailment accident in Cameroon.

This is a rise in the toll confirmed yesterday which was previously 53 dead, 575 injured and 14 trapped in the carriages.

Original story

A train derailed in Cameroon on Friday reportedly killing about 10 people and injuring over 60 people who were on board.

According to local media, the accident occured in Eseka on the line between the country’s main cities, Douala and the capital, Yaounde. The train was said to be packed.

Pictures circulating on social media showed that the derailed train had overturned near the tracks. Dead bodies and injured persons were also at the scene of the accident. The state owned CRTV showed people giving injured persons first aid.

De nombreux blessés pris en charge et des morts enregistrés lors du déraillement de cette mi-journée m. Le bilan consolidé reste attendu. pic.twitter.com/rGcrspj53M

— CRTV web (@CRTV_web) October 21, 2016

“There are many injured. We are still in the phase of evaluating the situation. We cannot give even a provisional toll,” said an official for national rail company Camrail, who asked not to be named.

A local hospital official also confirmed that 10 corpses were brought in from the accident scene. Local journalists confirmed that the train was very packed at the time of the accident.

The French ambassador to Cameroon, Gilles Thibault, tweeted a condolence message to the families and victime of the crash. ‘‘I present condolences saddened families and loved ones of the victims of the crash of the Yaoundé – Douala.’‘

Je présente mes condoléances attristées aux familles et aux proches des victimes de l'accident du train Yaoundé- Douala #Cameroun #Cameroon

— Gilles Thibault (@G_Thibault_Fr) October 21, 2016

Rail is one of the key modes of transport in the country. It serves in transporting both people and goods. Due to the speed of rail, people usually cram unto coaches to get to their destinations.

The rail company had earlier denied via its facebook page that there was an accident. They later confirmed the incident and said they were working to provide official details of the incident.

Pas de déraillement de train affirment à la fois les responsables de Camrail et ceux du ministère des transports pic.twitter.com/94UHt1jJH0

— CRTV web (@CRTV_web) October 21, 2016