Turkish train crash in Ankara kills 9, injures 47

Nine people were killed and nearly 50 injured in Turkey when a high speed train collided with a locomotive and crashed into a station platform and overpass in an Ankara suburb early on Thursday (Dec 13), officials said.

Wreckage of a high speed train is seen after it collided with another locomotive and crashed into an overpass at a train stationÊin Ankara, Turkey December 13, 2018. REUTERS/Tumay Berkin

Rescuers worked to free people trapped under the mangled wreckage at Marsandiz train station, 8 km (5 miles) from central Ankara. It was not clear at which speed the train and locomotive were travelling when the collision occurred. There was light snow on the tracks.

Ambulances and fire trucks are seen near the scene of a high speed train crash in Ankara, Turkey December 13, 2018. REUTERS/Tumay Berkin

The train had been heading from Ankara to the central Turkish province of Konya and was not due to stop at Marsandiz. Ankara Governor Vasip Sahin said the locomotive, which lay battered 20 metres (22 yards) further ahead, carried out track inspections.

Three train drivers were among the nine killed in the crash, Transport Minister Cahit Turhan told reporters on the scene.

Rescue workers search at the wreckage after a high speed train crash in Ankara, Turkey December 13, 2018. REUTERS/Tumay Berkin

​​​There were 206 passengers on the high speed train, according to state-owned Anadolu news agency, which also reported that the Ankara state prosecutor's office had launched an investigation.

Turkey has been developing a network of high-speed rail links during Tayyip Erdogan's 16-year-old rule as it looks to ease the burden on increasingly congested highways./.

VNF/Reuters