Government 'sad' about train crash

 Johannesburg - Government expressed "great sadness" on Friday after more than 600 people were injured in a train crash in Soweto, Johannesburg.

"We wish commuters injured in the accident a speedy recovery and express our gratitude to the Johannesburg Emergency Services for their quick response in assisting the injured," said government spokesperson Jimmy Manyi in a statement.

"The South African government learned with great sadness about the injury of hundreds of train commuters," he said.

 Some 644 people were injured in the crash on Thursday, when two trains collided in Meadowlands. Two people were critically injured.

The United Transport and Allied Trade Union (Utatu) said the accident showed that South Africa's "under-funded commuter services are becoming rail versions of Russian Roulette".