UN confirms large loss of life, extensive damage after train explosion in DPR of Korea

A United Nations assessment team has confirmed that Ryongchon County in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) suffered a significant loss of life and experienced extensive damage to housing and infrastructure following last week's train explosion.

The mission went to the area Saturday and said there is no need for international help in search and rescue operations. There were, however, considerable immediate needs to provide shelter to affected families and to repair damaged buildings.

UN agencies have been providing medical supplies from existing programmes to Ryongchon, and the UN system is also making available emergency grants to respond to the disaster, including $50,000 from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), $50,000 from the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and $25,000 from the World Health Organization (WHO).

Two train wagons carrying explosives detonated last Thursday at Ryongchon Station in North Phyongan province, near the Chinese border. According to Government reporting, the explosives were en route to a construction site for a large-scale irrigation project when the accident occurred during shunting operations at the station. Initial reports put the number of dead at 50, with more than 1,000 others injured.

The Government's Flood Damage Rehabilitation Committee said the explosion, which reportedly caused major damage to housing and infrastructure, including schools and medical facilities, levelled more than 1,800 dwellings.