(United Press International circulated the following on January 25.)
ANQIU CITY, China — China’s Ministry of Railway said 18 railroad workers were killed and nine injured by a high-speed train that barreled into their work site.
The ministry’s Office of Publicity said Friday the train ran into the Anqiu City work site Wednesday evening while workers were relocating the tracks, Xinhua, China’s official government-run news agency, reported Friday.
The office said railway service resumed after a short suspension and the injured workers were in stable condition at hospitals Friday.
The incident occurred at 8:40 p.m., 20 minutes before the time trains had been asked to slow their speed while passing through the work area, the office said. The track adjustment had been scheduled to begin at 10 p.m., but the workers began early, it said.
Vice Railway Minister Lu Chunfang is in the city to lead the investigation into the incident.