Shosholoza Meyl train en route to Durban derails

A Shosholoza Meyl train traveling from Johannesburg to Durban derrailed on Friday evening. 

The incident happened at a level crossing between Rooikop and Mapleton, approximately 547 kilometers from Durban. The train derailed with 410 passengers on board. 

According to Daisy Daniel of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa), "Three passenger coaches and two dinner coaches have been affected. It has been reported that 5 passengers and 3 employees were injured. Medical attention and trauma counseling has been arranged for affected passengers while most passengers were safely still on board the train."

Daniel said buses have been arranged from Pietermaritzburg to transport passengers to their destinations. The site will be cleared once all passengers have evacuated the train.

"Shosholoza Meyl is investigating the cause of the derailment and apologised to its passengers for the unforeseen inconvenience," said Daniel.