Pretoria — The Railway Safety Regulator (RSR) has dispatched its inspectors to a railway incident in Amazimtoti, near Durban, where a Transnet Freight Rail train derailed into the Amazimtoti River in the early hours of this morning.

RSR acting Senior Manager of Communications, Babalwa Mpendu, said the incident occurred at 3:10am near Amazimtoti River where a portion of the railway line was damaged due to a wash-away by heavy rains in the area.

"A mass pole was also damaged in the incident. A rigorous investigation on the incident is underway," said Mpendu.

The damaged railway line is believed to have caused two locomotives and one wagon to derail.

The train was carrying timber, travelling from Bayhead to Umkomaas.

No fatalities were registered on the scene. However, Mpendu said the train driver and his assistant suffered minor injuries and were taken to Kingsway Hospital for observation.