Lucknow: In a shocking incident, at least nine coaches, including the engine, of the New Delhi-Malda New Farakka Express train derailed near Raebareli in Uttar Pradesh in the wee hours of today.
At least seven people have died in the mishap and over 60 others injured in the mishap, ANI reported Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of Northern Railway Satish Kumar as saying.
“7 dead, 21 injured after the engine and 9 coaches derailed. Injured have been taken to the district hospital in Raebareli. All passengers have been evacuated. A special train is being arranged to take them. It may take 24-36 hours for completion of clearance operation,” the DRM, Northern Railways, said. The accident took place near Harchandpur at around 6.05 am, he said.
Union Rail Minister Piyush Goyal has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh for the next of the kin of the deceased, Rs 1 lakh compensation for those with serious injuries and Rs 50,000 for those with minor injuries.
A woman and a child are among those killed in the mishap. All the injured have been rushed to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.
The local administration has begun the rescue work and top railway officials have also reached the mishap site to take stock of the situation.
Several National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams from Lucknow and Varanasi have also reached the mishap site to carry out the rescue operation.
Heavy duty gas cutters were being used to extricate the bodies and all those still trapped in the damaged coaches.
Drones and long-range cameras are being used to monitor the situation at the site of New Farakka Express Train derailment.
Taking cognizance of the mishap, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed the DM, SP, health authorities and the NDRF to provide all possible relief and carry out the relief and rescue work at the accident site.
Adityanath has also announced compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the next of the kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for those with serious injuries.
A team of doctors in an accident relief medical van was immediately rushed to the accident site and emergency helpline numbers have been set up at the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction, Mughalsarai, officials said.
All up and down lines on the route have been blocked and officials suspect that the number of casualties may rise.
Chairman Railway Board Ashwani Lohani has also reportedly rushed to the accident site to review the situation.
Railways has also ordered a probe by Commission of Railway Safety, Northern Circle, to ascertain the cause of the derailment.
The Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) of the Uttar Pradesh Police will also probe the derailment of nine coaches and the engine of New Farakka Express.
Emergency helpline numbers set up at Patna Station: BSNL- 0612-2202290, 0612 – 2202291, 0612 – 220229; Railway – 025-83288