Staff ReporterAt least 17 people have been killed and 12 others injured in a head-on collision between two trains in south-western Angola, the office of the regional governor has said.
A train run by the state rail firm smashed into a stationary maintenance train that was being operated by Chinese engineers.
An investigation has been launched into Tuesday’s accident, but it appears to have been caused by human error, a statement by the governor’s office said, AFP reports.
“An on-duty railway employee was warned by the Chinese maintenance crew but could not prevent the departure of the train, loaded with granite, from Lubango station”, an unnamed local official was quoted by AFP as saying.
“The accident claimed at least 17 lives including the two drivers, one Angolan and one Chinese, as well as injuring 12,” said the governor’s office in a statement.
“When he realised his mistake, it was too late to avoid a disaster,” the official added.
The incident is the second since the beginning of the year on the 260-kilometre line between Lubango and Mocamedes.
