Two carriages of a new train derail at Bishan Depot while undergoing tests

Two carriages of a new train derailed while undergoing testing at Bishan Depot yesterday. According to Alina Boey, spokesperson for rail operator SMRT, the carriages slipped off the track while the train was pulling out of the stabling yard.

The train - which has not been placed for regular service - was not carrying any passengers and no injuries were reported. SMRT also stressed normal services were not affected by the incident.

According toThe Straits Times, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) was informed of the incident at around noon - and a spokesman for LTA reported some of the wheels on the third and fourth carriages were found to have been affected.

The English daily added that staff were spotted in the depot repairing the train yesterday afternoon and had separated the first two carriages of the six-carriage train to work on the third and fourth.

Ms Boey added the firm conducts comprehensive stress tests to ensure all train components are rail-worthy under SMRT's rigorous testing process for all new trains. Adding on the statement was LTA's spokesman who cited trains entering normal service are tested both overseas and here.

Neither SMRT nor LTA expanded on the details that caused the carriages to derail, and it is unclear how the incident occurred.