TRAIN TRAGEDY: At least 27 dead and 50 injured after train derails in horror crash
AT LEAST 27 people have died and 50 more have been injured after nine coaches on a passenger train derailed.
Foul play not ruled out for train crash in India
An express train from Jagdalpur to Bhubaneswar, in eastern India, derailed in an accident-prone region.
Local Superintendent of Police L.K.V. Ranga Rao said: "Nine bogies were derailed of which three have turned and fallen off the track.
"Most of the casualties and deaths are from the three sleeper-class compartments."
The crash has claimed at least 26 lives
According to the police chief no evidence of sabotage has been detected and the cause of the tragedy appears to be a technical fault.
India's state railways, built during British colonial rule, have an appalling safety record.
Indian authorities are investigating the incident.
In the last serious accident, 150 people died when a train derailed late last year in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh.
India recorded 27,581 railway deaths in 2014, the most recent year for which figures are available, with most victims falling from, or being struck by, moving trains.
The incident happened in an accident-prone region of India
At least 50 people have been injured.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said on Twitter: "Anguished to learn about the train accident near Vizianagaram.
"We are investigating the reason for accident."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also tweeted that the tragedy was "saddening" and said the railways ministry was working to ensure quick relief and rescue operations.