Train Derailment Kills 10, Wounds 73 in Northwestern Turkey

At least 10 people were killed and 73 wounded when a train derailed in the northwestern Turkish province of Tekirdag on Sunday.

Turkish Health Ministry Undersecretary Eyup Gumus said the accident took place when five of the six cars of the train derailed in a village in Tekirdag, blaming the heavy rain for causing disruption and problems under the rails.

Gumus said “the ground between the culvert and the rail collapsed” due to the heavy rain.

The Istanbul-bound train had 362 passengers and was traveling from Edirne, bordering Greece and Bulgaria, to Istanbul. There were six crew members on board as well.

More than 100 ambulances were rushed to the scene.

The official statement aroused public anger and created a barrage of criticism from opposition parties.