Cameroon observes day of mourning after train tragedy

YAOUNDE, Cameroon

Cameroonians observed a day of morning on Monday following a train derailment that killed at least 79 people and injured nearly 600 others.

Flags across the country flew at half-mast as victims’ families crowded hospitals and officials issued a public call for blood donations.

Friday’s disaster saw a train was traveling from capital Yaounde to Douala, the country`s economic capital, derail in Eseka, around 125 kilometers (78 miles) west of Yaounde.

“Faced with this unprecedented disaster in our country, I have ordered the government to take a number of specific measures and I ordered an in-depth investigation to establish the causes of the accident,” President Paul Biya said on Sunday evening.

“I also decided that Oct. 24 is declared day of national mourning.”

Biya also expressed his condolences to the relatives of the victims. “I have asked hospitals to take care of the injured and the costs to be paid for by the state,” he said.

YAOUNDE, Cameroon

Cameroonians observed a day of morning on Monday following a train derailment that killed at least 79 people and injured nearly 600 others.

Flags across the country flew at half-mast as victims’ families crowded hospitals and officials issued a public call for blood donations.

Friday’s disaster saw a train was traveling from capital Yaounde to Douala, the country`s economic capital, derail in Eseka, around 125 kilometers (78 miles) west of Yaounde.

“I also decided that Oct. 24 is declared day of national mourning.”

Biya also expressed his condolences to the relatives of the victims. “I have asked hospitals to take care of the injured and the costs to be paid for by the state,” he said.