Indian train crash kills 8, injures 85

At least 8 people were killed and 85 people sustained injuries when a speeding passenger train collided with another one waiting for a signal near Chennai, the Times of India reports.

The third major rail accident in two months, the incident again raises concerns about safety on India's railway system — the lifeline for much of the country.

"Till now eight bodies have been identified and injured have been rushed to nearby hospitals," the Press Trust of India quoted IG Railway Police Sunil Kumar as saying.

The mishap occurred when the speeding Chennai-Vellore Cantonment Mainline Electrical Multiple Unit (MEMU) rammed into the rear of the Arakkonam-Katpadi passenger which was waiting for signal at the Chitheri station, at about 9.40 PM, the Times of India said.

Rescue workers used gas cutters to help pull out the trapped passengers from the derailed bogies while two cranes were pressed into service to clear the tracks, the paper said.

Two similar accidents occurred in July.