Bilecik Governor Says More Than 50 Die In Train Accident

BILECIK - Bilecik Governor Ayhan Cevik said on Thursday that more than 50 people died as the high-speed train derailed en route from Istanbul to Ankara.
Cevik, who came to the scene of the accident, told A.A correspondent that four of the train`s cars went off the tracks near Pamukova town of northwestern Sakarya province.
``More than 50 died in the accident. And, around 15 injured have been sent to hospitals in Bilecik,`` Cevik said.
Cevik noted that all hospitals in Sakarya and Bilecik were on alert since the injured were being sent to hospitals after they were immediately receive assistance from health teams at the scene of the accident.
Sources said that nearby provinces and towns would send ambulances to the scene of the accident.
The train derailed near Pamukova town around 7.45 p.m. The train left Istanbul at 6.0 p.m. with more than 200 passengers.
Most of the dead and injured were travelling in the first two cars.
(BRC) 22.07.2004