A cargo train slipped off the track at Km200.332 Kota Baru-Lahat, Batu Gajah near Ipoh early today, disrupting Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) services on the north and south line.

KTMB in a statement said the train was headed for Tasek from Kuang, Selangor to collect a load of cement when the incident happened at 3.15am.

"Two locomotives and 25 empty carriages derailed and blocked the two tracks, preventing trains from continuing onwards. Passengers using the services from Kampar-Ipoh-Kampar will be transferred and ferried by bus.

"KTM Berhad apologises for the inconvenience and will furnish updates on the situation," said the statement.

No casualties

Meanwhile, Perak Fire and Rescue Station, Zone One chief Mohd Khairul Jamil said no casualties were reported in the incident.

"The two train drivers did not sustain any injury; however, they have been sent to hospital for examination.

"There was a small fire at the engine part of the carriage and firefighters were only allowed to enter the location after the electricity supply in the area was shut off," he said.

He said 16 personnel and officers in two fire trucks were involved in extinguishing the fire and shifting the carriages.

Refunds available

Meanwhile, KTMB corporate communications head Ridhwan Arshad said 12,000 Electric Train Service (ETS) passengers were affected by the derailment.

He said 40 ETS runs from Gemas-Kuala Lumpur-Padang Besar were affected.

"A 35km stretch from Kampar to Ipoh has been cordoned off for repair work," he told reporters at the Batu Gajah railway station.

He said that KTMB was providing a transit service from the Ipoh railway station to the Kampar railway station for southbound passengers who wanted to continue their journey and vice versa.

"As for passengers who do not want to continue their journeys, they can get refunds at any KTM counter or by calling 03-22671200 or at KTMB's website at www.ktmb.com.my," he said.

He said ETS ticket sales were proceeding as normal and that this was being announced via various mediums including radio broadcasts, statements on their website and notice boards at railway stations.

KTMB operations head S Mahendran said repair work was progressing well.

"In view of the extra load due to the Deepavali weekend, we are doing our best to get the situation back to normal as quickly as possible.

"However, we expect it will take about 48 hours before the ETS service can be back to normal," he said.

Kampar police chief Supt Ng Kong Soon gave the ages of the train driver and his assistant as 46 and 23 respectively.

- Bernama