The accident occured on the Wheatsheaf Lane block, when seven cars, including the engine, on a New York-bound train derailed in northern Philadelphia. More than 65 people have been injured, officials added, with at least six in critical condition.
Amtrak said that 238 people and five crew members were on the train at the time of the accident, which has been dubbed a level three mass casualty incident. Not everyone who was on the train has been accounted for.
Amtrak Train Derails in Philadelphia http://t.co/6fsIhRjJOU pic.twitter.com/tdcUqbdJfS
โ FOX 11 Los Angeles (@myfoxla) May 13, 2015
The accident is "an absolute, disastrous mess," Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter said to reporters. "It is a devastating scene down there."
Nutter added that hundreds of police, firefighters and emergency personnel have responded to the scene.
At least 10 people have been transported to Temple University Hospital's trauma unit, according to CNN. Others have been moved to Jefferson University Hospital, Hahnemann University Hospital, and Einstein Medical Center, ABC 6 reported.
Photos from #Amtrak derailment in Philadelphia. via @phillydotcom http://t.co/UOO3mwnb5c pic.twitter.com/V9Ukd5s0m1
โ Jim Roberts (@nycjim) May 13, 2015
Comment: Other train derailments in North America during the past week include:
a fiery oil train derailment in North Dakota
a non-hazardous mixed freight train derailing in Cook County
Eight train cars carrying sulphur derailing in Alaska