At least 18 people are reported dead following a train crash in south-western Angola. 14 others were injured in the disaster.
AFP reports that there was a head-on collision between two trains, quoting the office of the regional governor.
Angolan officials are now investigating Tuesday’s accident. But there were reports of a train run by the state rail firm crashing into another stationary maintenance train.
Officials say the disaster appeared to have been caused by human error, a statement by the governor’s office said.
The statement said “The accident claimed at least 17 lives including the two drivers, one Angolan and one Chinese, as well as injuring 12”.
But the Xinhua news agency reports that “two Chinese, were killed in a train collision”. It reports that “the two killed Chinese citizens were members of a rail maintenance team”.
AFP quotes a local official saying “An on-duty railway employee was warned by the Chinese maintenance crew but could not prevent the departure of the train, loaded with granite, from Lubango station”.
The official added that “When he realised his mistake, it was too late to avoid a disaster”.
This is the second train crash this year recorded on the Lubango and Mocamedes train line. In February a train derailed but no fatalities were reported.
Source: Africafeeds.com
