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Cars and TransportationUnited States of America

US Amtrak train derails with over 150 on board

September 26, 2021

Officials said at least three people were killed and several more injured in the state of Montana as seven cars of a Seattle-bound train went off the rails.

https://p.dw.com/p/40rpe
An ambulance is parked at the scene of an Amtrak train derailment
Multiple injuries were reported in the incidentImage: Kimberly Fossen/AP Photo/picture alliance

At least three people were killed on Saturday when a train went off the tracks in western United States, a local sheriff said. 

Seven of the train's 10 cars derailed, a spokesperson of the railway company Amtrak said.

The National Transportation Safety Board said it sent a team of investigators and specialists to probe the incident.

What we know so far

The Empire Builder train running between Chicago and Seattle derailed in north-central Montana, a local official said.

Amtrak spokesman Jason Abrams said the train was carrying around 146 passengers and 16 crew members on board. 

At least 50 people were injured, The New York Times reported, citing officials. 

People work at the scene of an Amtrak train derailment
Local responders, Amtrak staff and government officials were seen working at the sceneImage: Kimberly Fossen/AP Photo/picture alliance

"Amtrak is working with local authorities to transport the injured passengers and move all other passengers to safety," the company said.

The incident took place at around 4 p.m. local time (2200 UTC), said Eric Weiss, a National Transportation Safety Board spokesperson.

Footage and images posted to social media showed several cars on their sides and passengers were standing alongside the tracks, some carrying luggage.

According to media reports, several passengers have been taken to a nearby high school. 

Several Empire Builder trains were canceled after the incident, Amtrak said.

fb/rs (AFP, AP, dpa, Reuters)