Baocheng railway repairs make breakthrough

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Source: CCTV.com | 05-16-2008 21:31

Monday's earthquake severely affected road and railway traffic. The quake-damaged Baoji-Chengdu Railway is the lifeline linking northwest China to the southwest provinces. Repairs crews rushed to restore the line immediately after the disaster. They're making an all out effort. There's been a breakthrough in the repair effort.

Monday's earthquake severely affected road and railway traffic. The quake-damaged Baoji-Chengdu Railway is  the lifeline linking northwest China to the southwest provinces.

Inside this railway tunnel a 40-car freight train derailed during Monday's quake, paralyzing the rail link between the Sichuan Capital of Chengdu and Baoji City in Shaanxi Province. The tunnel is located in Huixian county of Gansu Province.

The train, carrying 500 tons of gasoline, burst into flame. The fire blazed for about 40 hours before being brought under control Wednesday afternoon.

Firefighters continue pumping water from a nearby river, then pouring it through the top of the tunnel. Most of smoke has been dispersed outside the tunnel. But inside the tunnel, the smoke is still heavy. Another team of firefighters in the tunnel continues to spray water on the carriages.

Vice Political Commissar of Shaanxi Province Fire Department said "70 commandos and soldiers have been here for three days and nights. The head of the train blocked the tunnel after the earthquake. The fire has been put out, but there are still some flames. And it's still a danger because there are 13 rail cars loaded with gasoline that could explode in the heat. We're spraying water to try to keep the temperature down."

The official estimated the fire will be extinguished late today or tomorrow. Then the damaged train can be pulled from the tunnel, allowing crews to set about repairing the rail link and the tunnel.

Editor:Xiong Qu