Death toll jumps to 24 in Tekirdag derailment

Baku, July 9, AZERTAC

Twenty-four people were killed when a train derailed in northwest Turkey this weekend, Deputy Prime Minister Recep Akdag said on Monday, a sharp jump from the previous toll of 10, according to Aljazeera.

The Anadolu news agency quoted Akdag as saying search operations this morning had now been completed at the wreck of the train, which derailed on Sunday evening in the Tekirdag region while heading towards Istanbul.

At least 73 people were wounded in the crash, state media quoted the health ministry undersecretary as saying.

The train, carrying 362 passengers, came off the rails in northwest Turkey due to heavy rains and landslides, officials said.