London train derails, no injuries

LONDON, Oct 24 (Reuters) The rear end of a train pulling into London's Waterloo station derailed during evening rush hour today but nobody was hurt, police and a rail official said.

Commuters suffered delays to their service as investigators examined the scene. Disruptions were likely to drag on into tomorrow, said South West Trains spokeswoman Simone Spinks.

The train, which had been travelling from Dorking in Surrey to Waterloo, was going slowly when the rear carriage and half of the next carriage came off the tracks as they arrived at platform two at about 6.35 p.m. (2305 hrs IST), Spinks told Reuters.

Some 150 people onboard the train were evacuated safely.

''The carriages remained in an upright position,'' she said, speaking from the scene, where police and rail investigators were trying to work out what happened.

''We are taking this very seriously and a full investigation is being carried out,'' Spinks said.

Platforms one to four at Waterloo have been shut as a result and may remain closed for some of tomorrow.

''We are advising people please to check before you travel,'' Spinks added.

British Transport Police confirmed in a statement they were investigating the ''minor derailment''.

Reuters PDS VP0320