39 die, 135 hurt as train plunges into Serbia-Montenegro canyon

1/23/2006

BIOCE, Serbia-Montenegro A packed passenger train derailed today and plunged into a steep river canyon outside the Montenegrin capital, killing at least 39 people and injuring more than 135, the government said.

The train derailed near Bioce, a village about nine miles northeast of Podgorica as it emerged from a tunnel above the Moraca River, police said.

Interior Minister Jusuf Kalomperovic said initial reports indicated the train s brakes may have failed.

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