Train derails in northern Iran

Tehran: Iran's state TV reported on Saturday that a train has derailed in northeastern Iran, causing many deaths.

The death toll rose from 7 to 8, with 12 other people injured. The broadcast said four of those injured were in critical condition.

The broadcast said that the passenger train derailed at Azadvar station in Joqatai, east of the capital Tehran. It was heading to Tehran.

It is the deadliest accident since February 2004, when runaway train cars carrying fuel and industrial chemicals derailed, setting off explosions that destroyed five villages in another station in northeastern Iran, killing more than 200 people.