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WIRE:04/13/2000 05:40:00 ET

Title: Train Crash Kills 11 on Newly Reopened Congo Line BRAZZAVILLE, April 13 (Reuters) - Eleven people were killed and 31 injured when two trains collided on the recently reopened Brazzaville to Pointe-Noire railway in Congo Republic, police said on Thursday. The accident happened on Wednesday around 75 km (45 miles) from Pointe-Noire when a freight train and passenger train collided after a points error.

The railway, a vital transport link between the capital Brazzaville and the country's main port and oil town of Pointe-Noire, was repeatedly sabotaged by rebel militias in the months of unrest following a 1997 civil war and was out of action for most of 1999.

A partial service resumed in January and a full service along the length of the line was due to have started later this month. It was not clear if this would be delayed by the accident.

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