At least 29 dead, hundreds rescued in Indian double train derailment

Two trains derailed moments apart in India on Tuesday night
(Image credit: AP/YouTube)

Right before midnight on Tuesday, two passenger trains in India's Madhya Pradesh state derailed at a crossing near the flooded Machak River, killing at least 29 and injuring 70 more. Officials said Wednesday that up to 600 people were on the two trains, which did not collide, and at least 300 people have been rescued from the wreckage. Indian rail officials blamed the accident on monsoon rains, which they say washed away soil from under the tracks, sinking a section into the muddy ground.

In a tweet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the accidents "deeply distressing," and his government said the families of the deceased would each receive 200,000 rupees, or about $3,100. You can see scenes from the accident in the Associated Press video below. Peter Weber

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Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.