Train derailed in Taiwan, 12 injured

Railway staff work at the train accident site in Pingtung, southeast China's Taiwan, Aug. 31, 2013. A train derailed in Taiwan on Saturday morning after encountering a landslide, injuring 12 passengers, with three in serious condition, said the Taiwan railway authority. (Xinhua)

A train derailed in Taiwan on Saturday morning after encountering a landslide, injuring 12 passengers, with three in serious condition, said the Taiwan railway authority.

The Kaohsiung-bound train had about 250 passengers on board when it came across a landslide at a tunnel entrance on Saturday at 7:33 a.m.Beijing Time, leading to separation of the fifth and sixth passenger cars and derailment of the sixth, said the Taiwan railway authority in a press conference.

Altogether 12 passengers were injured, with three in serious condition and suffering fractures. All the injured have been sent to hospitals, said the authority.

As of 10 a.m., it was still raining heavily at the site of the accident, and the car remained stuck in the landslide. Railway staff and soldiers have been sent to the site to rescue and evacuate passengers.

The South-Link Line has been suspended due to the accident, and the railway authority estimated it will remain suspended for at least half a day.

Heavy rains have hit Taiwan in recent days due to Tropical Storm Kong-rey, the 15th of this season.