Train Collides With Truck in Nigeria; at Least 50 Are Killed

A train smashed into a truck full of passengers at a railway crossing in this remote central Nigerian town, killing at least 50 people, police said Sunday.

Rescuers sifting through the wreckage of Saturday’s crash said the death toll could rise.

The truck ignored warnings that a train was approaching and attempted to cross the tracks, police Cpl. Sam Uduok said. The vehicle was crushed by the southwest-bound passenger train.

It was not immediately clear exactly how many people were on the truck, but only one survived, Uduok said. None of the train passengers was hurt, he said.

Uduok said the truck was owned by cattle dealers who were returning to their homes in the northern state of Kano after purchasing palm oil in the southeast.

The truck apparently picked up passengers along the way, he said.

Accidents are common at Nigerian railway crossings, which are not always well marked.