Over 200 injured in Shanghai train crash

The collision on one of the city’s newest lines came after Shanghai Shentong Metro Group said the line, which opened last year, was having delays due to equipment problems.

Shanghai, a city of 23 million, has rapidly expanded its underground train system in recent years and some lines have seen problems with faulty signalling, windows shattering, doors not opening properly and poorly trained train operators, fuelling fears passenger safety has been sacrificed in the rush to expand infrastructure.

State media reported the collision occurred near the Yu Yuan gardens, a well-known tourist attraction, while trains were being directed by telephone following a signal failure.

At least 212 people were hurt in yesterday’s crash, three of them seriously, the train operating company said. None had life-threatening injuries, although some of the injured were carried away on stretchers.

Photos posted online by passengers showed some of the injured covered in blood and lying on the floor of the train.

City centre traffic was jammed as police set up road blocks to clear the way for ambulances and hundreds of people gathered to watch as passengers left the subway.