Dozens of S.African train commuters injured after explosion

Durban - At least 38 people have been injured in South Africa after an explosion at a railway station caused commuters to panic and jump off a moving train as it approached the coastal town of Durban.

Times Live reported at least four people were seriously injured. A South African Police Force (SAPF) spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Vincent Mdunge, said the train had not exploded, but that an electrical box nearby had exploded. He said:

The train, carrying about 1 000 passengers, was travelling from Stanger to Durban when a loud explosion was heard as it stopped near the Effingham Road station. As some of the coaches filled with smoke, the panic-stricken passengers fled in terror.

The train was full because many people were returning to the coastal city after visiting family and friends in rural areas. The Times report said people jumped out of windows and pried open the train doors to get out. Many of the commuters jumped off an eight metre (25 foot) high bridge to the road below. Independent Online quoted Chris Botha, spokesman for Netcare 911, a paramedic organisation:

Paramedics and emergency personnel stabilized the injured and took them to hospital for further treatment.

A spokesperson for the railway company, Metrorail, Thandi Mkhize, said an explosion had taken place in the overhead equipment. She said:

Our technical team is investigating what the cause of the explosion was, and we arranged alternate transport for passengers who were not hurt.

The report said the explosion threw a fireball into the air that could be seen from a distance. The commuters had to wait more than two hours for transportation home. One, university student Sibusiso Cele, said:

There was a loud explosion and everyone could see sparks. The coaches then started to fill with smoke and people thought they were going to burn to death.

Lawrence Venkile, of the Railway Safety Regulator, said inspectors were trying to establish the cause of the incident.