WORLD
Shanghai subway trains collide injuring more than 200
Baku, September 27 (AZERTAC). Two subway trains collided in central Shanghai on Tuesday injuring more than 200 passengers, though none critically, prompting public anger just two months after a deadly crash between two high-speed trains, according to Reuters.
The collision occurred in central Shanghai, near the Yu Yuan gardens, a well-known tourist attraction, after a signal failure meant staff had to direct trains by telephone, state media said.
"As far as we know, more than 260 injured people have been sent to hospital, and there are no deaths so far," an official at the Shanghai government`s propaganda department said by telephone.
Ambulances rushed to the station and emergency personnel were seen carrying injured passengers out, Reuters witnesses said.
"Many people were hurt. Look at the blood on me, on my arm," pointing at patches of blood on his shirt.
The official Xinhua news agency said most of the injuries were bruises and bone fractures.
"Today is the darkest day in the history of the Shanghai Metro`s operation," said a news report by Chinese internet company Sina, citing the subway operator`s official microblog.
"No matter the ultimate cause and responsibility, (we feel) particularly guilty about the harm and losses borne by the public. We will put in our utmost ability to rescue the wounded, resume operations as soon as possible ... and cooperate with the relevant departments in the investigation."
"Even if our apologies pale in comparison to the actual injuries, we are deeply sorry."
However, the statement on Weibo was later removed. It was unclear why.
The accident follows a collision between two bullet trains in eastern China in July that killed 40 people, which triggered public fury at the government`s perceived slow response and accusations of a cover-up, expressed via microblogging sites.
That disaster also raised question marks over technology promoted as a symbol of the nation`s growing prowess.
The Shanghai crash quickly became the most talked about topic on the wildly popular Twitter-like Sina Weibo service.
"Another accident -- what a joke. So much money has been spent, all they`ve built is crap," wrote "ggirl."
"It seems like we are going to have to revert to ancient times when we walked on foot and communicated with people by shouting. But at least we now have high-tech Weibo," added Zhao Yingying.