“RAIL CHAOS: PASSENGER TRAIN DERAILS ON KADUNA ABUJA ROUTE, INJURIES REPORTED”
GREATRIBUNETVNEWS–A passenger train traveling from Kaduna to Abuja derailed on Tuesday morning, causing widespread panic and injuring an unspecified number of passengers. The incident occurred on the busy Kaduna-Abuja rail line, with several cabins overturning and passengers scrambling for safety amidst the chaos.
Key Details:
– Derailment:The train derailed while en route to Abuja, the nation’s capital, with reports indicating that several cabins overturned.
– Injuries: An unconfirmed number of passengers were injured, with details remaining fluid and authorities yet to officially confirm the exact number of casualties.
– Cause: The cause of the derailment is still unknown and under investigation.
– Passenger Accounts: A passenger described the scene as chaotic, with people scrambling in panic to safety
Rail Line’s Troubled History:
– Previous Incidents: The Kaduna-Abuja rail line has faced significant challenges in recent years, including a deadly terrorist attack in March 2022 that resulted in multiple fatalities and passenger abductions.
– Safety Concerns: The derailment has raised concerns about the safety and security of the rail line, with authorities likely to face scrutiny over their response to the incident
Just last week, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) had confirmed an incident on the Abuja-Kaduna Train Service (AKTS) after one of the train’s coach wheels developed a hot axle on Wednesday evening.
According to a statement signed by the NRC’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Callistus Unyimadu, the fault occurred a few kilometres from Rigasa Station in Kaduna.
The hot axle, the corporation explained, was caused by abnormal temperature and excessive heat on the journal housing.
Unyimadu noted that the situation was immediately brought under control, and the train was safely marshalled to Kaduna.
The hot axle, the corporation explained, was caused by abnormal temperature and excessive heat on the journal housing.
Unyimadu noted that the situation was immediately brought under control, and the train was safely marshalled to Kaduna.
Following the incident, the NRC said there would be temporary capacity issues, particularly affecting passengers booked on the business class coach. It later resumed operations.
The corporation tendered an apology for the inconvenience caused to passengers.
While the cause of today’s incident is under investigation, authorities have previously attributed frequent disruptions on this route to acts of vandalism and the activities of scavengers who target rail infrastructure.
As of press time, officials from the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) and security agencies have not issued an official statement regarding the derailment. Emergency responders are believed to be at the scene.
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