A train derailed last night in Philadelphia causing mass destruction, multiple injuries and at least six dead. According to authorities, Amtrak Regional Train 188, which runs from New York to Washington, D.C., derailed last night around 9:30 PM near Philadelphia. The seven-car trained carried 238 passengers and a crew of five on the busy Northeast travel corridor, which is the nation’s busiest.
It has been confirmed that all seven cars, including the engine, derailed, killing six passengers and injuring another 146, at least five of the passengers are in critical condition.
“It is an absolute, disastrous mess. I’ve never seen anything like this in my life,” said Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter.
The Washington to New York route is used by many politicians who work on Capitol Hill, there is no word yet if any prominent members of Congress or their staff was on the train.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the scene of the accident and it is unknown why the train derailed at this time. The area of the track that the train was travelling includes a turn and it has been speculated that the train may have been traveling too fast. The area where the crash occurred has an infamous history. It is known as Frankford Junction and in 1943 it was the scene of what was then the nation’s deadliest train crash. The train was known as the Congressional Limited and that crash killed 79 people.
Amtrak has set up an emergency information line for people seeking information on family and friends at 1-800-523-9101. In addition, Amtrak has shut down all rail service between Philadelphia and New York. Terrorism is not suspected at this time.
