Strong wind topples Chinese train

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Four people have been killed and 30 injured after extremely strong gusts of wind toppled 11 carriages of a train in north-west China, official media said.

The storm hit soon after the train left Turpan station, in China's Xinjiang region, Xinhua news agency reported.

"A strong sandstorm cracked window panes soon after the train left Turpan, and blew some of the cars off the rail," one passenger told Xinhua.

Rescuers said the injured had been taken to nearby hospitals.

The train runs between Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang, and the city of Aksu, in southern Xinjiang.

The stretch of railway from Turpan to Korla had been closed following the accident, Xinhua quoted the railway ministry as saying.

Xinhua said the area is well known for strong winds all the year round.

A windstorm in April 2001 also derailed 11 cars of a passing train.