Deaths in Cameroon train crash

At least seven people have been killed and more than 270 injured in a train accident in the West African nation of Cameroon, state radio has reported.

The train derailed just outside the capital Yaounde on Saturday.

Issa Tchiroma Bakary, Cameroon's communications minister, said the death toll could change as some of the carriages had ended up in ravines by the track and rescuers were searching for survivors or bodies.

"Only when the inquiry put in place by ordered by the prime minister, head of government, and by the railway manager, only when these inquiries are completed, then we will give you the reason why this accident took place and the number of casualties," he said.

Officials said the train was carrying more than 1,000 passengers.

A day earlier, a train carrying gas and petrol derailed and burst into flames, killing at least one person.

The government has set up inquiries into the two accidents and vowed to pay the medical costs for the injured.

French industrial giant Bollore has a contract to operate Cameroon's national railway until 2020 and has plans for a $300 million upgrade for the country's railway and rolling stock.

PHOTO CAPTION

Map of Cameroon locating the capital Yaounde

Al-Jazeera

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