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Over 60 Killed in DRC Train Derailment


The death toll from a freight train accident in the Democratic Republic of Congo has risen to at least 63.

Investigators at the crash scene, in southeastern Katanga province, said some passengers were still unaccounted for on Wednesday, and believed to be trapped in the wreckage.

The interior ministry says initial reports suggest the overloaded freight train was traveling too fast when it derailed on Tuesday.

Witnesses say some passengers were riding inside container cars while others were riding on top of them. Investigators say dozens of people were injured.

Train accidents are fairly common in the DRC where the rail system has suffered decades of neglect.

Passengers sometimes pay to illegally ride on freight trains.

About 100 people were killed in a 2007 freight train accident in the country.ry.
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