Australian outback tourist train derailed

DARWIN, Australia, Dec 12: An Australian outback tourist train, The Ghan, derailed today after a collision with a truck, but passengers only suffered bumps and bruises.

''The whole train has derailed. Eleven passenger carriages derailed near Adelaide River following a collision with a truck,'' said a Northern Territory police spokeswoman.

''There are no major injuries just bumps and bruises,'' said the spokeswoman, adding police, ambulance and a rail rescue container were enroute to Adelaide River, 120 km (74 miles) south of Darwin.

The Ghan, a transnational train which travels from Adelaide in the south to Darwin in the north, a journey of 2,979 km (1,847 miles), was carrying 65 passengers and 17 staff, said local media.

The Ghan was named after the pioneering Afghan camel riders who travelled the same route carrying goods and communication to outback towns.

Reuters