A derailed carriage is seen at the scene of a train derailment in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the United States, May 13, 2015. At least five people were killed in a passenger train derailment in Philadelphia, city mayor Michael Nutter said Tuesday. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)
WASHINGTON, May 13 (Xinhua) -- At least five people were killed in a passenger train derailment in Philadelphia, city mayor Michael Nutter said Tuesday.
Officials said earlier that at least 50 people were injured. The train was carrying 238 passengers and 5 crew members.
Seven cars of an Amtrak passenger train 188 en route from Washington, D.C., to New York City derailed near Philadelphia on Tuesday night, seriously injuring six people, Nutter said.
"It pushed me to one side of the train, my chest was injured," a female passenger Joan Elfman told CNN. "It can't be happening, this is a nightmare."
Rescue workers were using flashlights to search the overturned cars. Nutter said at least 200 people were at the scene to help.
"Public do not go to the scene of derailment. Please allow 1st responders room to work," said Philadelphia police through its twitter.
"We do not know what happened here, we do not know why it happened," Nutter said.
The FBI said that so far there was nothing to indicate the incident was an act of terrorism. A National Transportation Safety Board's investigation team will arrive in the morning.
Amtrak said that they had canceled all service for Tuesday evening between New York City and Philadelphia.
