Train derails in Mtuba

A TRANSNET freight train carrying magnetite from Phalaborwa to Richards Bay partially derailed at Mtubatuba late on Monday night, waking residents who thought an earthquake had hit.

‘I was asleep and at about 11.30pm my wardrobe shook so hard that the doors were flung open, even though it was locked with a key,’ said one Mtubatuba resident. ‘I thought it was an earthquake.’

According to a Transnet media release, only one of the train’s carriages derailed and only a small portion of the track had been damaged.

‘Train operation was temporarily disrupted until the line was cleared and eventually opened on Tuesday at noon.’

There were no injuries and Transnet Freight Rail is investigating and is yet to determine the cause of the derailment.

@TamlynJolly