A train from Taitung to Kaosiung derailed Friday night, killing one person and injuring two others, according to reports reaching here from Taipei Saturday morning.

The reports said a female passenger, who was rushed to a hospital for emergency treatment, died early Saturday morning and the two wounded people, one is in serious condition, are the driver and the his assistant of the train.

A total of 242 passengers were on the No.96 Train when the accident happened at the section in Pintung County at about 9:50 PM local time (13: 50 GMT). Fortunately, most of the passengers, who were on the back part of carriages, suffered scare and were not injured.

A dozen of ambulances have rushed to the scene.

Five carriages of the train slipped down 10 meters from the slope and ran into an orchard nearby.

Preliminary investigation showed the derailment was caused by deliberate sabotage of the tracks.

The train left Taitung at 8:08 PM local time and was expected to arrive in Kaosiung at about 11:12 PM.

"It all happened suddenly," said a passenger surnamed Chan, " the train was suddenly braked and it turned dark shortly as electricity was cut."

The local railway administration has been repairing the part of the sabotaged railroad, which has been closed after the accident.

The operation of about 10 trains from Taitung to Kaosiung will be suspended by noon Saturday, the local railway administration said.

The cause of the accident is still under investigation.

(Xinhua News Agency March 18, 2006)