SEREMBAN, MALAYSIA: Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd is investigating what caused the Ekspres Rakyat to derail at Km465 of the Seremban-Rembau stretch near Kampung Baru Rahang on Saturday.

KTMB managing director Datuk Mohd Salleh Abdullah said a full investigation into the 3.30pm incident would begin today, once the locomotive and coaches had been recovered.

"We will need time to investigate... and when we finish the report, we will hand it to the Transport Minister."

Engine driver Yahya Osman, 40, died on the spot. He was pinned to the seat of the locomotive that plunged down a two-metre ravine before landing in the mud.

His assistant Abu Bakar Ibrahim, in his 40s, escaped with minor injuries. Ten passengers received outpatient treatment at Seremban Hospital. Two have been admitted.

The 12-coach train, with 210 passengers, was travelling from Butterworth to Singapore.

Mohd Salleh said 80 KTMB officers and staff had been working to clear the area and salvage the wreckage.

"Two cranes from the Gemas and Falim (Ipoh) depots will tow the wreckage to the Seremban station."