Related: Train derails in northern Japan, one dead

         Train derails in Japan, dozen injured

    TOKYO, Dec. 26 (Xinhuanet) -- The death toll in Sunday's express train derailment in northern Japan has reached three, Kyodo News agency reported Monday.

    One passenger remained trapped inside the first car of the derailed six-carriage express train, Kyodo said.

    The three victims were two women and a man. Thirty-three people, including the train driver, suffered injuries and were hospitalized, police said.

    Forty-four passengers and two crew members were on board at the time of the derailment.

    The derailment is believed to have occurred after the train washit by strong winds while crossing a bridge over the Mogami River, officials of the Niigata branch of the railway operator said.

    "The train floated when it was hit by sudden winds," the 29-year-old driver was quoted as saying.

    The train, which was heading for Niigata from Akita prefecture,had been running behind schedule due to snowfall.

    Unusually heavy snow hit Japan recently and has caused the deaths of eight people, although the derailment seems not directly connected with it. Enditem