7 killed in worst accident in Washington metro

At least seven passengers were killed and 76 injured when a Washington metro rammed into a stationary train on the same track during the evening rush hour in the "deadliest" accident in the subway transport system's 33-year history.

There was no immediate report of any Indian casualty in the accident. The impact of the crash was so powerful that the trailing train was left atop the first train.

The accident occurred last evening on an above-ground track between Fort Totten and Takoma Park close to the District of Columbia's borderline with the state of Maryland at 5 PM local time, throwing the country's second-largest Metro system out of gear.

Both the trains were on the same track, and one of them was stationary when the crash happened, John Catoe, Metro General Manager said.

A total of 76 people were treated for injuries at the scene, including two with life-threatening wounds, said Chief Dennis Rubin of the Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department for the District of Columbia.

Authorities put the death toll in the accident at seven. Earlier there were reports that nine people had been killed.

Washington Mayor Adrian Fenty described the collision as the deadliest in the subway system's 33-year history and emergency crews had switched to recovery operations after halting rescue efforts.