Kinshasa - Officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo say a freight train has derailed in the country's southeast, killing at least 30 people.
Government spokesperson Lambert Mende said on Wednesday that the death toll could be much higher. It is common in DRC for people to jump onto freight trains for a free ride.
A union official, Fernandez Tshibondo, said the train jumped the tracks on Tuesday near the station at Katongola, a town in DRC's Katanga province.
The cause was not immediately clear, and Mende said an investigation has been opened.
We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.