Shanghai's Maglev train evacuated after fire

Shanghai, Aug 11: The high-speed magnetic levitation train running between Shanghai and its international airport caught fire today, forcing the train to be evacuated, but there were no serious injuries, witnesses said.

A small fire broke out in the near the engine as the train left Pudong International Airport, people on the train said.

The train, which can travel at a maximum speed of 430 kilometres (270 miles) an hour, had just begun to accelerate when the fire was noticed. Firemen helped passengers off the train and its elevated track, which runs 30 km into Shanghai.

In 2003, China became the first country in the world to operate a Maglev on a commercial basis. The Chinese government and a German consortium including Siemens A G have been discussing the possibility of extending the line by 160 km to the city of Hangzhou.

Reuters