Runaway train kills six, injures 11 in Uruguay

The runaway train crashed through security barriers and went right into a crowd of spectators.

A runaway train killed six persons and injured at least 11, some of them losing limbs, during a filming of a television programme on Friday, authorities said.

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The accident occurred during a test of strength aimed at raising money for a hospital in Young, a town of 14,600 some 300 kilometres northwest of Montevideo, the town's mayor Omar Lafluf told a local radio station.

Some 200 participants were taking turns pushing a locomotive for the show 'Challenge of the Heart' when suddenly they lost control of the train on rain-slicked tracks.

The runaway train crashed through security barriers and went right into into a crowd of spectators.

A number of victims had their arms or legs cut off, police said. About 3,000 schoolchildren witnessed the accident. Police, firefighters, medical teams and volunteers were on the scene trying to deal with the carnage.

Local authorities declared three days of official mourning and closed schools.