China subway car separation, collision blamed on slippery tracks

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) – An accident in which one or more Beijing subway cars split off from the rest, along with a collision, is being blamed on slippery tracks due to snow, Chinese state media reported on Friday.

A preliminary probe found that in the Thursday accident on the Changping line, "slippery tracks caused by snow led to the emergency braking and halt of a train in front," according to the Municipal Transport Commission in the capital Beijing.

"The rear train, situated in a downhill section, experienced sliding and failed to brake effectively, resulting in a collision with the front train,” it said.

The Chinese capital has been hit by heavy snowfall since early this week.

There were over 100 with injuries from the accident, more than triple the number initially reported.

“A total of 515 people were sent to the hospital for examination, and 102 were found with fractures,” Beijing-based Xinhua News said, adding that no deaths were reported.

It added that 92 passengers were hospitalized.

Several videos circulating on social media platforms show rescue workers loading the injured into ambulances and transporting them to hospital.

Another video shows a train with one or more cars separated from the rest.