Tuesday, 17 July 2012

Train derails in Egyptian capital Cairo: 'many dead'

July 17

An Egyptian passenger train has derailed and caught fire in a suburb of Cairo, reportedly leaving many people dead. Five of its cars overturned. Egyptian media report at least 4 people killed and 70 injured. A security source has told Reuters that at least 15 people were injured.  Reports also say the accident took place in the Badrasheen area of Giza, as the train was heading for the southern province of Suhaq. The train was coming from the town of Sohag, 500 kilometres south of Cairo. The number of casualties and the death toll are still unconfirmed. At least five ambulances rushed to the scene to help the victims, amid fears of a large death toll.   Other train accidents in Egypt The railway system's poor safety record has long been blamed on badly maintained equipment and poor management.  Feb 20 2002: 361 die when a train catches fire 43 miles south of Cairo. Aug 21 2006: At least 58 are killed...

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Death toll from Japan's heavy rain rises to 28

July 17

The death toll from record rainfall on the southern Japanese island of Kyushu rose to 28 on Monday and rescue workers searched for four missing people, reports said. Evacuation orders were lifted in most parts of the region and many residents had returned to clean up flooded homes. Substantial damage was inflicted on farming and fishing industries in Fukuoka prefecture. Dozens of fishing boats went adrift and farm machines were submerged, the Nishinippon newspaper cited local authorities as saying. Greenhouses were also damaged and a seaweed farm was flooded in the prefecture, it said. Many residents in northern mountainous areas of Yame were without electricity and water after a flooding river destroyed facilities and caused utility poles to collapse, NTV reported.  The Japan Meteorological Agency predicted more rain in the region and local authorities warned of more mudslides and flooding. As warm, humid air created an active...

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Okobe petrol fire disaster death toll rises to 124

July 17

Abuja – The death toll from Okobe petrol tanker disaster rose to 124 on Monday, up from 95, the Rivers Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Dr Kayode Olagunju, said. Olagunju...

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