Turkey Train Crash: High Speed Derailment In Ankara Causes Several Casualties

UPDATE: 5.00 a.m. EST - The Ministry of Transport confirmed the death toll has risen to nine, which includes three engine drivers and six passengers. Transport Minister Mehmet Cahit Turhan said high speed trains usually pass through the Yeni Mahallandiz station without stopping. He said all those who got trapped in the debris were pulled out.

UPDATE: 2.00 a.m. EST - According to a new statement released by the Governor's Office, the death toll in the tragic train crash has increased to seven. Of the 46 people injured, three are in critical condition. Search and rescue operations are ongoing at the accident site.

European Commissioner for Transport Violeta Bulc expressed condolences on Twitter and said she has "asked European Rail Agency to stand ready to provide any assistance needed to Turkish Authorities."

UPDATE: 1.05 a.m. EST - Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's office launched an investigation into the crash. According to preliminary investigation, the accident occurred due to lack of communication as the train was not supposed to travel on the route due to snowfall. Emergency service, fire brigade and National Medical Rescue team are at the scene.

Ankara’s governor Vasip Sahin said the high speed train had collided with a commuter train.

Original story:

Four people reportedly died and over 43 sustained injuries after a Turkish high speed train crashed into an overpass in the capital city of Ankara on Thursday morning.

A total of two carriages topped and derailed after the train crashed at Ankara’s Yeni Mahallandiz station. The train was traveling between Ankara and Konya, a central Turkish province.

Video footages from the scene show emergency workers rescuing people trapped underneath the wreckage of the train. Several ambulances have also reached the scene.

The cause of the accident is unknown and the number of causalities is likely to increase.

This is a developing story.