A tragic accident at a railway station in Yunnan province on Thursday resulted in the deaths of 11 workers, marking the deadliest rail incident in China in over a decade, according to provincial authorities.

The collision occurred when a specialized test train, conducting seismic detection trials, struck a group of railway workers who had entered the tracks at a curved section of the Luoyang Town Railway Station in Kunming. In addition to the fatalities, two workers were injured.

Emergency measures were activated immediately following the incident. The injured were transported to a local hospital and are currently receiving treatment. Despite the severity of the accident, officials confirmed that the station has since resumed normal operations.

Authorities have launched a full investigation to determine the precise circumstances that led to the workers being on the tracks at the time of the collision. In initial statements, officials pledged to prosecute those found responsible and to conduct a comprehensive review of safety protocols to prevent future tragedies.

“The incident underscores the critical importance of stringent safety measures during railway operations, especially during testing phases involving high-speed or specialized trains,” a local official stated.

The provincial government emphasized its commitment to learning from the accident, vowing to implement any necessary changes to ensure the stability and safety of the nation's vast railway network.

(ILKHA)