Two dozens die as Turkish train derails

TEKIRDAG, July 09 (Reuters): Twenty-four people were killed in northwest Turkey when five carriages of a train headed for Istanbul derailed following heavy rain and a landslide.

State broadcaster TRT Haber quoted Deputy Prime Minister Recep Akdag as saying on Monday.

Hospitals nearby were treating 124 people injured in Sunday's accident, Turkish health minister Ahmet Demircan said, according to the broadcaster. Akdag said the search and rescue effort in the wake of the accident was halted by Monday morning, it added.

The train was carrying 362 passengers at the time of the accident.

Footage by Demiroren news agency from the scene showed at least five wagons lying on their side while workmen wearing helmets examined the tracks and bulldozers moved to remove the wreckage.