Several people were killed and scores were injured after five cars of an Amtrak train derailed in Montana, close to Canada’s border. Photos from the scene showed one of the cars on its side along the tracks.
The incident took place near Joplin, a town of some 200 people in Liberty County, Montana, around 4 pm local time.
We derailed pic.twitter.com/gwamIS15iD
— Jacob Cordeiro🌹 (@jacob_cordeiro) September 25, 2021
Amtrak has confirmed that its Empire Builder long-distance train derailed while carrying 147 passengers and 13 crew, and that it was cooperating with the authorities to evacuate the passengers and take those injured to hospital.
— Jacob Cordeiro🌹 (@jacob_cordeiro) September 26, 2021
Photos shared by eyewitnesses show several cars off the tracks, including one that has tipped over. Passengers could be seen using ladders to climb the car in effort to extract those trapped inside.
My mother-in-law shared these photos with me—the Empire Builder @Amtrak train they were on derailed near Havre, Montana. @AmtrakAlerts pic.twitter.com/6p7aksKdTF
— Jessica Arp (@newsbyjessica) September 25, 2021
At least three people have died in the derailment, multple media reported, citing the Liberty County Sheriff’s Department.
About 50 people were injured in the incident, the New York Times reported, citing local authorities. Multiple first responders arrived at the scene to spearhead the rescue effort.
It’s so far unclear what caused the train to run off the rails.
Joplin is located in a rural area, about 30 miles (48 kilometers) away from the US-Canadian border.
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