Over 500 Injured As Beijing Subway Trains Collide In Icy Weather

Beijing: Two subway trains collided in the Chinese capital city, leaving over 500 people injured.

The accident took place in Beijing’s mountainous west on an above-ground portion of the subway system’s Changping line on Thursday evening, reported AP.

A total of 515 people had to be hospitalised following the collision amid heavy snowfall, with 102 suffering severe injuries, authorities said on Friday.

As the tracks were slippery, automatic braking system was activated on the leading train. The second train, coming from behind, skidded on a descending section and was unable to brake in time, the city transport authority said in a statement on its social media account.

Emergency medical personnel, police and transport authorities got into action and evacuated all passengers by about midnight. As many as 67 passengers are receiving treatment in hospitals, while 25 are under observation, according to transport authorities.

Beijing has been experiencing heavy snowfall since Wednesday, prompting suspension of some train operations and closure of schools.

There have been alerts for icy roads, extreme cold and further snowfall, with temperatures expected to fall to minus 11 degrees Centigrade.

Winters in Beijing are generally extremely cold, but heavy snowfall is rare.