DAMMAM, 19 December 2001 — The train service between Riyadh and Dammam resumed partially yesterday after an accident on Sunday evening which led to the cancellation of all services on Monday.
The afternoon train left Dammam for Riyadh on schedule, though two other scheduled trains in the morning could not leave as sand accumulated on the tracks was still not cleared. No trains started from Riyadh until the evening.
Railway officials said one train was scheduled to leave Riyadh at 9.30 p.m. and would reach Dammam at 1.45 a.m. The official said normal services would resume today.
A Dammam-bound passenger train with 258 people derailed near Khurais, 160 kilometers from Riyadh, Sunday, evening seriously injuring the train driver and killing his assistant.
Director General of Saudi Railways Organization Khaled Al-Yahya, who inspected the accident site accompanied by other senior officials, said the freight service was not disrupted following the accident because goods trains used another line linking Dammam port with Riyadh.
An official said wind-blown sand that accumulated on the tracks caused the derailment. He ruled out any possibility of sabotage, but an inquiry has already been under way.
Yahya said SRO would seek advice of international experts to prevent future accidents.
SRO operates eight daily services — four in each direction — between Riyadh and Dammam.
There was total confusion at Dammam railway station yesterday, as the railway authorities had not put up any announcement about the cancellation or resumption of services following the accident.
The passengers with reservations on the morning train arrived in time, but were disappointed.
Many frustrated passengers lamented the apathy shown by the railway officials at the station. They said the authorities could have coordinated with SAPTCO to start a special bus service from the station.
