At least 5 people killed in a train crash in central India, official says

At least 5 people killed in a train crash in central India, official says
A passenger train crashed into a cargo train in central India Tuesday, killing at least five people and injuring several others, a senior government official said. (X/@DeccanChronicle)
Short Url
Updated 25 sec ago

At least 5 people killed in a train crash in central India, official says

At least 5 people killed in a train crash in central India, official says
  • Television channels showed images of one train colliding with another near the accident site
  • Rescuers are searching through the debris for survivors

NEW DELHI: A passenger train crashed into a cargo train in central India Tuesday, killing at least five people and injuring several others, a senior government official said.
The incident happened near Bilaspur, about 116 kilometers (72 miles) from Chhattisgarh’s state capital, Raipur.

Television channels showed images of one train colliding with another near the accident site. Rescuers are searching through the debris for survivors.
The local passenger train hit the goods train from behind and toppled over some coaches, senior government official Sanjay Agarwal told The Associated Press.
“Rescue team is trying to cut through the train to take out a few passengers trapped inside,” he said.
Train collisions aren’t uncommon in India where the vast rail network faces issues of aging infrastructure and human error.


UK govt orders poultry restrictions as avian flu spreads

Updated 3 sec ago

UK govt orders poultry restrictions as avian flu spreads

UK govt orders poultry restrictions as avian flu spreads
The risk to human health remained “low” and that “properly cooked” poultry and eggs were safe to eat
The virus can spread through droppings and saliva or contaminated food and water

LONDON: The UK government on Tuesday ordered all poultry in England to be kept inside due to escalating cases of avian influenza.
The order takes effect from Thursday.
“The new measures mean bird keepers across the whole of England must house all poultry and captive birds if they keep more than 50... or if they sell or give eggs away,” a statement said.
Similar limited restrictions were made in parts of north, central and eastern England last week.
“Given the continued increase in the number of avian influenza cases in kept birds and wild birds across England, we are now taking the difficult step to extend the housing measures to the whole of England,” said UK Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss.
The risk to human health remained “low” and that “properly cooked” poultry and eggs were safe to eat, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said.
There were 85 recorded avian flu outbreaks in poultry farms in Europe between August 1 and late October with 28 in the last week of that period, according to the Europe-wide ESA animal health monitor.
Of those six outbreaks were in Britain.
In January, following an uptick in cases, the UK government ordered mandatory culls in England of birds within a three kilometer (1.8 mile) radius of a confirmed case, as well as stepped up hygiene measures and controls across wider areas.
The virus can spread through droppings and saliva or contaminated food and water.
Vaccinations against bird flu are currently not allowed in the UK, except in zoos.