WASHINGTON, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- A Metro subway train derailed on Sunday afternoon at a station in downtown Washington, D.C., and three people were injured in the accident, officials said.

    The accident took place at the downtown Mount Vernon Station, according to the Washington Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

    Some passengers needed to be evacuated, and the station was shut down after the accident.

    It was not clear immediately what had caused the accident.