State radio: Train driver in Republic of Congo blamed for derailment that killed 76

Republic of Congo train crash kills at least 76

BRAZZAVILLE, Republic of Congo — State radio is blaming a train driver for the derailment in Republic of Congo that killed at least 76 people.

Government spokesman Bienvenu Okiemy said that excessive speed was the main cause for the accident. Four train cars full of passengers fell into a ravine late Monday.

Brazzaville Radio Congo also said Wednesday that more than 700 people were hurt, and that the death toll was likely to rise further.

The train was leaving the coastal town of Pointe-Noire and was headed to the capital, Brazzaville, when it derailed.

The government of the Central African nation has called for three days of national mourning. Republic of Congo borders the much larger nation known as Congo.