
A crowded Japanese commuter train derailed and slammed into an apartment building on Monday, killing at least 49 people and injuring hundreds.
Several people were still trapped in the wreckage more than five hours after the accident, which left one car wrapped around the building's first floor car park, as rescuers with stretchers and blankets struggled to reach survivors.
About 300 people were taken to hospital, a police spokesman said, adding that he did not know whether the injured included anyone from the apartment building, which was located just six metres from the train tracks.
Five cars derailed in the accident, which took place shortly after the morning rush hour in a residential area near the city of Osaka, about 400 kilometres west of Tokyo.
Railway officials said the cause was not immediately apparent.
Several people were still trapped in the wreckage more than five hours after the accident, which left one car wrapped around the building's first floor car park, as rescuers with stretchers and blankets struggled to reach survivors.
About 300 people were taken to hospital, a police spokesman said, adding that he did not know whether the injured included anyone from the apartment building, which was located just six metres from the train tracks.
Five cars derailed in the accident, which took place shortly after the morning rush hour in a residential area near the city of Osaka, about 400 kilometres west of Tokyo.
Railway officials said the cause was not immediately apparent.
What a terrible accident. I heard on the radio before that the train may have been running a few minutes late due to the driver overshooting the last stop. It is possible that the 23 year old driver was speeding to make up time.
Poor people.

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