It is still unclear what has caused the deadly derailment of a high-speed train running from Turkey's Istanbul to capital Ankara on Thursday night.

According to initial information, the recently launched fast train linking two cities for five hours only has been subject to much criticism over its suitability so far as the local infrastructure is concerned.

However, the train accident should not have happened since trains were not going fast when passing through the site where the derailment occurred, according to Suleyman Karaman, Director General of Turkish State Railways (TCDD).

He pointed out that the accident "has nothing to do with the speed."

Stating that the locomotive did not go off the tracks, Karaman said the accident could not have happened in normal case.

The train derailed near Pamukova town around 7.45 p.m. The train left Istanbul at 6.0 p.m. packed with 234 passengers, including many children.

Most of the dead and injured were travelling in the first two cars.
Meanwhile, efforts continue to pull out the dead and the injured from the derailed cars.

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