In the early hours of Thursday, November 27, 2025, a test train collided with maintenance workers at Luoyangzhen Station in Kunming, capital of Yunnan Province in the Chinese mainland. The accident resulted in 11 fatalities and left 2 workers injured, local railway authorities confirmed.
Local railway authorities say emergency response teams arrived on-site within minutes, coordinating with medical crews to treat the injured and secure the area. Details remain scarce as an official investigation is underway to determine the sequence of events that led to this tragic collision.
Test trains play a vital role in verifying track integrity and system performance before regular passenger and freight services begin. This latest incident raises urgent questions about coordination between maintenance schedules and test operations, especially on busy rail networks across the Chinese mainland.
Industry experts point out that rigorous safety protocols and clear communication channels are essential to prevent such accidents. They stress the need for real-time monitoring technologies and stricter scheduling controls to ensure that maintenance teams can work without risk.
The collision has temporarily disrupted train services around Kunming, with several routes suspended or operating at reduced speeds. Passengers have been advised to check updates from local railway authorities before traveling.
As rescue and recovery efforts continue, global rail operators and safety advocates will be watching closely. The outcome of the investigation could lead to policy changes aimed at better protecting track workers and improving overall rail safety standards.
This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the human cost behind railway innovations. As the Chinese mainland expands its high-speed rail network, balancing ambitious growth with unwavering safety standards will be more critical than ever.
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11 dead as test train collides with workers in SW China's Kunming
cgtn.com
