Magude train disaster
Train accident
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The Magude train disaster occurred on 27 March 1974 in Magude, Portuguese Mozambique, when a train carrying passengers from Rhodesia collided head-on with a Mozambican freight train, causing an explosion that killed 70 people and injured 200. At the time, it was the worst rail disaster in Mozambique's history.
| Magude train disaster | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Details | |
| Date | 27 March 1974 |
| Location | Magude |
| Coordinates | 25°01′23″S 32°38′53″E |
| Country | Portuguese Mozambique |
| Line | Lourenço Marques-Salisbury |
| Operator | Mozambique Railways |
| Incident type | Head-on collision, explosion |
| Cause | Excessive speed |
| Statistics | |
| Trains | 2 |
| Deaths | 70 |
| Injured | 200 |
Overview
In the early morning[1] or evening[2] of 27 March 1974, a southbound train carrying passengers from Rhodesia crashed head-on with a stationary northbound Mozambican freight train that was holding, among other things, petroleum products.[1][2][3] The crash occurred in Magude, Portuguese Mozambique, some miles north of the capital, Lourenço Marques (now Maputo).[1][2][3] The collision caused the petroleum products aboard the freight train to explode and shower burning oil over several coaches of the passenger train.[1] The extreme heat caused the affected cars to melt, killing the passengers inside.[1] Several passengers from the coaches that were not burning attempted to save some of the victims, but were forced to turn back due to the flames.[1]
On the day of the collision, it was reported that 60 passengers were killed.[1][3] Several days later, police reported 70 deaths and around 200 injuries.[2] The event was believed to be the worst rail disaster in Mozambique's history,[2] later surpassed by the Tenga rail disaster with 192 deaths. President William Tolbert of Liberia sent his condolences to Mozambican Prime Minister Joaquim Chissano.[4]