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At least nine dead and dozens injured after high-speed train crash in Turkey

The aftermath of the deadly crash
The aftermath of the deadly crash

At least nine people have been killed after a high-speed train crashed in the Turkish capital of Ankara.

The train ploughed into a railway engine and then a pedestrian overpass at Marsandiz station, said officials. Local media said at least two carriages derailed.

As well as the dead, another 47 people have been injured say officials. Three of those persons were said to be in a serious condition.

Among the dead were three train drivers, according to the Turkish Transport Minister Cahit Turhan.

The train was en route from the Turkish capital, Ankara, to the town of Konya
The train was en route from the Turkish capital, Ankara, to the town of Konya

Rescue teams and ambulances have been sent to the scene and are looking for survivors.

‘Our hope is that there are no other victims,’ said Ankara governor Vasip Sahin.

It was not immediately clear what caused the train, en route from Ankara to the central Turkish city of Konya, to crash.

Mr Sahin said a technical inspection has begun while NTV television, quoting unnamed officials, said three prosecutors were assigned to investigate.

The accident happened at around 6.30am, local time.

It is not yet clear what speed the train was travelling at the time of the crash.

Turkey has suffered a number of train crashes in recent months.

In July, 10 people were killed and more than 70 injured when most of a passenger train derailed in north-western Turkey, after torrential rain caused part of the tracks to collapse.

Turkey has suffered several train crashes in the last few months
Turkey has suffered several train crashes in the last few months

Last month, 15 people were injured when a passenger train collided with a freight train in the central province of Sivas.

Konya, about 160 miles south of Ankara, is home to the tomb of the Sufi mystic and poet Jalaladdin Rumi, attracting thousands of pilgrims and tourists.

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