PNR train derailed at Sta. Mesa

MANILA, Philippines - Two days after the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) operations were suspended due to a communications system glitch, a southbound train of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) was derailed in Sta. Mesa, Manila yesterday morning.

A train traveling between the Sta. Mesa and España stations in Manila was derailed from the tracks at past 9 a.m., PNR spokesperson Paul de Quiros said in a telephone interview.

 “Based on initial reports, damaged rail ties, which link tracks, caused misalignment and wheels of the train to be off the track,” he said. 

Repairs to the derailed train were completed just before 11 a.m.

While repairs were being made, the 370 passengers of the derailed train were asked to transfer to another train.

De Quiros said there were no injuries reported. 

The train service, which runs from Tutuban in Manila to Cabuyao in Laguna, carries between 60,000 and 70,000 passengers per day. 

To accommodate the growing number of passengers, the PNR increased the number of trips to around 74 each day from 50 trips two years ago. 

The derailed PNR train is the latest in a series of breakdowns and accidents involving the country’s train lines. 

Last Aug. 18, the operations of the Metro South Commuter train service of the PNR was disrupted after one of the trains stalled as it approached San Andres station in Manila.  The overloaded train stalled due to low air pressure.

More than 800 passengers were stranded and had to be transferred to another train.

On Saturday, the operations of the MRT-3, which spans North Avenue in Quezon City to Taft Avenue in Pasay City, were suspended due to a failure in the train line’s communication system, with the control center unable to send instructions to train operators.

Last Aug. 13, a defective train of the MRT-3 slammed through a barrier in Pasay City, leaving at least 36 passengers injured and causing damage to vehicles as well as heavy traffic in the area.