A test train collision with construction workers in southwest China’s Yunnan province has killed 11 people and injured two, prompting an investigation amid ongoing concerns about industrial safety in the country.
The incident occurred early Thursday morning, November 27, near Luoyangzhen station in Kunming, the provincial capital.
State media outlet CCTV reported that test train No. 55537, which was being used to test seismic monitoring equipment, struck construction workers on a curved section of the railway track.
The Kunming Railway Office confirmed the collision, stating the train “was running normally through a curve within Luoyangzhen Kunming station” when it hit workers who had entered the track area.
Both injured individuals are receiving medical treatment, and rail transport in the area returned to normal by midday Thursday.
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the fatal incident.
The railway office expressed profound condolences to the victims’ families and vowed to hold all responsible parties accountable. They also pledged to learn from the accident to ensure railway safety and stability.
Industrial accidents remain a relatively frequent occurrence in China, often attributed to unclear regulations and lax safety enforcement.