At least seven people died when a goods train derailed in the South-East Democratic Republic of Congo.
The accident occurred in the Lualaba province Saturday, the second
accident in the area in a fortnight.
In mid-March, a train came off the tracks in the same area, killing at
least 75 people and injuring 125.
The toll could rise because a large number of clandestine passengers
were trapped under the upturned wagons as rescue team had been
dispatched to the scene.
Trains frequently derail in the vast Central African country, as there are
not enough passenger trains and few negotiable roads, so people needing
to cover long distances often travel by freight train.
As the spate of train derailment seems a common trend within the
African clime, experts suggest the developments may not only be
unconnected to overspeeding but also to outdated rail equipment, as well
as poor management of the railway system.
