Mozambique’s Transport Minister Tomas Salomao said 106 deaths have been confirmed in a train wreck outside the capital Maputo on Saturday, revising downward an earlier death toll of 150.
”The scenario is dramatic. There are corpses everywhere, and under the rubble. We are removing them, and the number of dead will sharply rise,” he told state radio by telephone from the scene of the accident.
He said the cause of the accident had not been determined, but ”it might have been caused by human error”.
Meanwhile, hospital officials in Maputo said 179 wounded passengers were receiving treatment, with 22 in a serious condition.
Hospital officials told Radio Mozambique that some people had died en route to hospital, and others died while waiting for treatment.
Maputo Central Hospital has recalled all doctors on leave and ordered all medical students to report to the hospital to help treat the victims.
The South African government said it had learnt about the train crash with shock.
Foreign Affairs representative Ronnie Mamoepa said: ”We extend our heartfelt condolences to the government, people of Mozambique, the families and colleagues of those who lost their lives in the accident. We also wish the injured a speedy recovery”.
Earlier the South African Deputy High Commissioner Xolisa Makhaya said it was not yet known if any South Africans were on board the passenger train.
According to reports a goods train collided with the passenger train, leaving at least 106 people dead and about 300 injured. The accident happened near the town of Ressano Garcia, on the border with South Africa.
The death toll was expected to rise, as many victims were still trapped in the wreckage. – Sapa, AFP