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Flash flood triggers train derailment in India, killing at least 29

By Andrew V. Pestano

HARDA, India, Aug. 5 (UPI) -- Two passenger trains in India's town Madhya Pradesh state derailed due to a flash flood at a bridge, killing at least 29 people and injuring at least 70.

The derailment occurred shortly before midnight Tuesday near the town of Harda. Heavy rain triggered a flash flood that struck the bridge and caused the tracks to collapse.

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Several train carriages were submerged in water. At least 300 people were rescued from the wreckage.

"This unfortunate accident took place because of the flash floods on the tracks and the track caved in and resulted in the derailment of the last six coaches of the Kamayani Express," railways spokesperson Anil Saksena told BBC News. "This train derailed, then simultaneously on the neighboring line from the opposite direction, another train was coming. That train also encountered a flash flood situation. So it almost happened simultaneously on neighboring tracks."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to those afflicted by the derailment.

"The two train accidents in Madhya Pradesh are deeply distressing. Deeply pained over the loss of lives. Condolences to families of deceased," Modi said in a statement. "My prayers [are] with the injured. Authorities are doing everything possible on the ground. The situation is being monitored very closely."

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