Train collision leaves at least 9 dead, dozens injured in Turkey
At least nine people have been killed and dozens more injured after a high-speed train crashed in Turkey's capital of Ankara on Thursday morning.
The train was traveling from Ankara to Konya when it hit a railway engine inspecting tracks at the Marsandiz railway station around 6:30 a.m. local time, according to the Associated Press (AP).
After hitting the railway engine, the train then crashed into a pedestrian overpass. Portions of the overpass reportedly fell onto the train.
Two train cars derailed during the crash, the AP reported, citing NTV television.'
Rescue workers search at the wreckage after a high speed train crash in Ankara, Turkey, Dec. 13, 2018. (REUTERS/Tumay Berkin)
At least 47 people have been injured in the crash, with three of them in serious condition, according to BBC News.
Six passengers and three engine drivers are reportedly among the deceased, the AP said.
"Our hope is that there are no other victims," Ankara Gov. Vasip Sahin said.
As of 12:30 p.m., local time, all passengers and drivers were removed from the wreckage, Transport Minister Mehmet Cahit Turhan said.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Snow fell in Ankara several hours prior to the crash.
The city's international airport observed snow from 8:31 p.m. Wednesday to 12:20 a.m. Thursday, local time. Visibility was reduced to below 1 mile (1.6 km) for a time.
While the rest of Thursday is expected to be dry for continued rescue and recovery efforts, a new system moving into the area Thursday night could bring another round of snowfall. Drier weather is forecast to return later Friday and continue into the weekend.
