Two British tourists killed in India train derailment

OFFICIALS have said that two British tourists have died and six others were injured when a train derailed in northern India on Saturday, September 12.

The train, chartered by American company Great Rail Journeys, was carrying a group of 37 British tourists on the Kalka to Shimla line on an excursion.

At about 13:20 local time, two of the carriages derailed just outside Kalka station. Local police said the two Britons who died were both women in their 60s.

FCO minister for Asia Hugo Swire, Confirmed the deaths of two British nationals and said: “I am deeply saddened that two British nationals have been killed and many others injured in a train accident in northern India.

“My thoughts are with their family and friends at this difficult time.”

The tour company Great Rail Journeys, confirmed one of its groups had been involved in the incident, but said, very little was known at this time however its representatives were at the scene.

It confirmed a total of 37 people had been on board, including the company’s tour manager.

They said in a statement, “A number of people in the group have been hospitalised,”.

Speaking to the AP Press Agency, a senior police officer said, the two Britons killed were both women in their 60s, and nine people were injured, including six Britons, and that the injured were taken to a hospital in the nearby city of Chandigarh.