18 injured as passenger train derails in southern England
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Güneşli
13 oC
Güneşli
A passenger train derailed near Lewes in southern England on Thursday, injuring 11 people, including two who were seriously hurt, according to British Transport Police and emergency services.
The Southern Rail service was travelling from London Victoria toward Eastbourne when three carriages left the tracks and overturned. The incident, which occurred at around 3:44 p.m. local time, triggered a major emergency response.
British Transport Police said some passengers were initially trapped inside the train but were subsequently evacuated safely. Emergency crews treated several injured passengers at the scene, while others were taken to nearby hospitals.
Police, firefighters, ambulance crews and other emergency responders were dispatched to the crash site after the derailment was reported.
Authorities declared a major incident as emergency services worked to secure the area and assist passengers. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the government was working with the rail industry to support those affected.
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch is now investigating the cause of the derailment. Authorities have not yet established whether track conditions, mechanical failure or other factors contributed to the incident.
The derailment occurred as southern England experienced exceptionally high temperatures, raising questions about whether extreme heat could have affected railway infrastructure.
Network Rail has previously warned that intense heat can cause steel rails to expand and potentially buckle, prompting speed restrictions and service disruptions during periods of extreme temperatures.
However, there is currently no official confirmation that heat caused Thursday’s derailment, and investigators will need to establish the precise circumstances.
The railway between Haywards Heath and Lewes is expected to remain closed while specialist teams inspect the tracks and infrastructure and determine when the route can safely reopen.
The incident adds to concerns over the resilience of Britain’s rail network during extreme weather, while investigators continue their work to establish exactly what caused the train to leave the tracks. (ILKHA)
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