Atleast 32 have been reported dead and a further 200 hospitalised following a high speed train crash in China’s eastern province of Zhejang on Saturday.

The tragic incident occurred as the higly acclaimed bullet train was struck by lightning, leaving the train without power and over 200 passengers all but helpless against the 100 mph train approaching from the rear. The total power failure also disengaged the electronic saftey system designed to alert trains to obstructions on the track.

The train suddenly shook violently, casting luggage all around," One lucky survivor Liu Hongtao is reported to have said. "Passengers cried for help but no crew responded”

The force of the crash knocked 2 of the carriages off of  the rails entirely causing them to fall 30 metres from the bridge.

Some claim the event comes as no surprise following the series of scandals and safety incidents that have hit Chinas’ massive railway network these past few months. Three railway officials have been investigated for corruption this year alone whilst the railway minister was sacked for “serious displinary violations”.

Despite this his efforts have caused the investment of billions of dollars into Chinas rail sector which the government hopes will cover over 28,000 miles by 2015.