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Passenger train T195 en route from Beijing to Qingdao city
in eastern China derailed and hit train 5034 early on Monday,
causing "heavy casualties", witnesses and a government spokesman
confirmed.(Xinhua Photo)
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Investigators say the first train was travelling at 131 kilometers per hour before the accident far in excess of the speed limit of 80 kilometers per hour between Zhoucun and Wangcun.
The casualties were from both trains. Four French nationals were among the injured but no foreign nationals were killed.
Rescue teams rushed to the scene immediately. Soldiers and armed police were also at the site to help with the rescue operation.
President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao have called on local authorities to do their utmost to help survivors, identify the cause of the accident and restore normal train services on the line.
Vice Premier, Zhang Dejiang, and the Minister of Railways, Liu Zhijun, went to the site of the accident to oversee the rescue work. And they also visited victims in hospitals.
Local hotels and hospitals have been vacated to accommodate victims and their families. And stranded passengers are being transported by road.
Two high-ranking provincial railway officials were sacked immediately after the crash.
(CCTV April 29, 2008)