ATHENS — Several people received light injuries on a subway train near Athens after it failed to stop in time before hitting a barrier at an overground terminus station, authorities said Tuesday.

At least eight people were hurt, public authorities said, when the train hit the barrier at Kifissia station, 17.5 kilometers (11 miles) northeast of Athens. 

The injured passengers were taken to a state hospital to be examined by doctors, authorities said.

The mostly overground subway line linking the port of Piraeus to Kifissia is the city's oldest. Two more lines were added in 2000. 

STASY investigating accident on metro line 1

The fixed-rail transport organisation STASY SA on Tuesday launched an investigation into the circumstances of an accident at Kifissia station on metro line 1.

In an announcement, it clarified that the impact was due to rail lines made slippery by the rain and that there was no derailment.

It said that eight people suffered minor injuries and were taken to hospital, while the train was not damaged but withdrawn from circulation as a precaution.