Commuters injured in false alarm

Several commuters on board a Vavuniya bound intercity train received minor injuries when they attempted to jump off the train fearing it crashing into another near Keenawala station yesterday.

However, this was a false alarm as the train was stopped due to a derailment of another. Passengers said they were requested to get of the train, stopped at a slope.

The passengers not aware of the derailment several miles from Keenawala station, were under the impression that the train they were traveling was going to crash into another traveling in the same track. The passengers had jumped out of the train, injuring themselves. Among the injured were several children.

Over 3,000 passengers were on board the train.

The train was driven back to Veyangoda station where an interchange of the track is located. The Train Control Room they said a derailment was reported a few miles from Keenawala station and all steps were taken to bring the situation under control.

Meanwhile, all trains leaving from Colombo on the main line were delayed as a result.