Train with 230 people onboard derails in tunnel between stations in emergency

11 July 2023 , 14:13

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Fire services are at the scene

An Amtrak train with 230 passengers onboard has derailed in a tunnel between stations in Washington DC.

The incident happened at around 9.31am local time as the derailment took place at the entrance to the station, according to authorities.

One Amtrak worker is being evaluated for a "minor medical condition" after the train derailed. No other injuries have been reported.

The DC fire department confirmed all passengers were moved to unaffected cars and have been transported to L'Enfant Plaza Station and escorted to a nearby hotel.

Fire services will be at the station ready to provide any assistance, according to the fire service.

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They tweeted: "Washington, DC All passengers were moved to unaffected cars and have been transported to L’Enfant Plaza Station. DC Fire EMS units are there standing by to provide any assistance. 1 Amtrak employee transported for a minor medical condition."

Passengers are being offloaded the train (DC Fire and EMS)

Passengers were escorted to a nearby hotel (DC Fire and EMS)

The DC Fire Department confirmed the train derailed at the entrance to Union Station on Tuesday morning.

It tweeted: "Amtrak derailment in tunnel at entrance to Union Station. Initial report minor in nature & no reported injuries. Fire units are working to reach the train, which is occupied."

A DC fire spokesperson said they plan to move the passengers to other cars on the tracks to be offloaded at L'Enfant Plaza Station.

Emergency services were waiting at the station (DC Fire and EMS)

They tweeted: "Update Amtrak derailment Union Station. 2 cars derailed but upright inside the tunnel just before Union Station.

"We have firefighters aboard train communicating with passengers. EMS evaluating 1 individual, but no other reported injuries."

It is not clear which train derailed but fire fighters had been working to help get passengers off the train.

The train was travelling north into Union Station when it derailed in the tunnel, according to fire officials.

Emergency services are still trying to get to the passengers

Delays are expected in and out of the area as fire services rush to the scene.

In a tweet, the Metropolitan Area Transportation Operations Coordination said services still remain suspended.

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It tweeted: "AMTRAK and VRE. Union Station SB. Washington, DC. Southbound service remains suspended due to blocked tracks and tunnel at Union Station. Delays are expected in area. WMATA MetroRail reports, at this time, no impact to MetroRail service."

An operation is underway to get to the passengers

A number of trains were being held at Alexandria Station with Amtrak cancelled a connecting train between DC and Raleigh at around 9.30am local time.

The incident follows on from last month when a train experienced a mechanical failure and derailed heading through a tunnel after leaving L'Enfant Plaza Station.

The train was able to get back on the track and remained upright but cased service delays in the area, according to Amtrak.

Liam Buckler