Commonwealth mourns train crash victims, urges states to help

Oct 25, 2016

Over 80 people including two Ugandan pastors died when a train derailed near the central town of Eseka ; 120km west of the capital Yaoundé on Friday.

Commonwealth Secretary General, Patricia Scotland has expressed condolences and sympathy to families and friends of the people who died in a train crash in Cameroon.

Over 80 people including two Ugandan pastors died when a train derailed near the central town of Eseka ; 120km west of the capital Yaoundé on Friday.

Pastors Nathan Tumusiime and Nicodemus Nuwasiima from City Prayer Towers in Mbarara were identified among the dead. The duo had gone on an evangelical mission in the West African country.

Speaking from London, the Secretary-General said, "I am shocked to hear about the derailment of the crowded passenger train travelling from Yaounde to Douala. The thoughts and prayers of the people of the Commonwealth will be with all those of our brothers and sisters affected by this dreadful event."

She added that "The families, friends and colleagues of all those who have lost their lives, or who are wounded in body or mind, and all who are working in the emergency or support services to deal with the impact of this derailment can be assured of our deep concern for their welfare at this time of sadness and great stress."

Expressing the hope that national and regional government would receive swiftly any assistance needed and that could be offered by neighbouring states or the wider Commonwealth, she assured the Government of Cameroon and the people of the country that she stood ready to do all she could to help mobilise emergency and recovery assistance

The train derailed on Friday evening, leaving scores injured with many blaming over loading as it was carrying an extra 300 passengers on top of its usual 600 capacity and was speeding from Yaoundé to the port city of Douala before one of the carriages flipped, reports said.

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