Changchun, China — A freight train has apparently overturned in Yangkang Province, injuring 16 people and spilling a substantial quantity of oil.
A source from Yangkang Province reported on the 27th in a telephone conversation with the Daily NK that, “On the 15th in Woonheung, 8 freight wagons carrying a total of 480 tons of gasoline and diesel overturned at dawn. The National Security Agency and the provincial security agency are examining the causes of the incident.”
In Youngha Workers-gu, which adjoins Baekam where this incident occurred, a train on the Hyesan-Pyongyang line overturned on March 27th, 2008, killing or wounding hundreds.
According to the source, there were 16 casualties, including merchants and an engineer on the freight train. 8 freight wagons completely overturned, causing the spill.
Right after the incident, North Korean authorities mobilized citizens to deal with it and dispatched the NSA to examine the causes.
The source said that, “As the train was going down a slope, a blackout occurred so the brakes did not work. However, the NSA presumes it happened deliberately, because similar incidents have occurred in this region.”
The North Korean authorities have been claiming to citizens that such incidents, which happen every year in Youngha Workers-gu, Woonheung and Baekam in Yangkang Province, are maneuvers by enemies. However, no criminals have been detained.
The mountainous features of this region are so steep that any incidents can cause massive casualties.
The source added that, “After the incident, the train between Hyesan and Pyongyang did not operate. It started running again on the 22nd.”
