A train derailed in northwest Turkey this weekend killing 24 people, Deputy Prime Minister Recep Akdag said on Monday, a sharp jump from the previous toll of 10.
The Anadolu news agency quoted Akdag as saying search operations this morning had now been completed at the wreck of the train, which derailed on Sunday evening in the Tekirdag region while heading toward Istanbul, Al Jazeera reported. At least 73 people were wounded in the crash, state media quoted the health ministry undersecretary as saying.
The train, carrying 362 passengers, came off the rails in northwest Turkey due to heavy rains and landslides, officials said.
The local governor in Tekirdag, about 120 km west of Istanbul, blamed heavy rain for the derailment. The private NTV television said five wagons out of six wagons of the train derailed in the incident.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's office said he had received information from the ministers of transport and interior about the incident, and sent condolences for those killed.
Television images showed emergency personnel at the crash site, as the army announced that it has sent helicopters to the area.
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