Police say the death toll in the train collision in Alawwa has risen to five (5) while a Thai Buddhist monk is amongst the deceased. A train driver, assistant train driver and another railways worker were also killed in the disastrous accident which injured over 30 people.
The wounded are currently being treated at Alawwa and Kurunegala Hospitals, spokespersons to the two hospitals told Ada Derana.
The accident had occurred yesterday (17) evening when a Polgahawela-bound power set from Colombo had crashed on to the rear of a Colombo-Kandy Intercity Express.
The Intercity Express had been pushing a Rambukkana-bound train from Colombo which had stalled near Alawwa.
Meanwhile the Railway Control Room stated that train services on the upcountry railway line have returned to normal and that several trains had traveled on the line yesterday, albeit somewhat delayed.
