At least 27 people have died while 25 others are reported to be injured after two trains derailed at the same spot in Madhya Pradesh late last night. The toll is expected to rise as rescue operations are still underway.
The Janata Express, en route to Mumbai from Patna, first derailed at around 11.30 pm near Harda town while crossing the Machak river. Minutes later, Kamayani Express, coming from the opposite direction from Mumbai towards Varanasi, also derailed at the same spot.
Those reported dead include 11 men, 11 women and five children, whose bodies have been recovered from the mishap site between Khirkiya and Harda stations, Madhya Pradesh Public Relation Department Commissioner Anupam Rajan told PTI today.
An inquiry headed by Commissioner Railway Safety (Central Circle) has been ordered into the accident, and railway minister Suresh Prabhu has announced ex-gratia payments to be made immediately to those injured. He is expected to make a detailed statement on the accident later today in the Parliament.
According to West Central Railway PRO Piyush Mathur, the twin derailments took place as the base material on the tracks had got washed away after the recent heavy rains. The accident spot is about 160 kilometres south of Bhopal, the state capital.
"Seven bogies of Kamayani Express including the engine plus three coaches of Janata Express were derailed between Khirkiya and Bhirangi stations near Harda," Mathur said.
Meanwhile AK Mittal, Railway Board Chairman, said that a sudden flash flood had caused the incident. "Ten minutes back at this spot train movement was normal, there was no problem,"he said on Wednesday morning. "It appears that a suddenly flash flood came in 10 minutes' time, which resulted in the disturbance of track and the consequent derailment of the two trains."
Former railway minister Dinesh Trivedi said that the accident could have been avoided. "I don't consider it as an accident," he told ANI. "An accident is something which can't be avoided, this could've been avoided."
Calling it a "deep-rooted cancer" in the railways, Trivedi blamed bad maintenance as the cause behind the accident. "Truth is year after year, Railways require minimum Rs 60,000 crore to maintain and change old assets," he said. "Unfortunately they don't have money, it means knowingly you are jeopardising the life of the common man."
Meanwhile, rescue operations continued even as several passengers were feared trapped in water after coaches of both the train plunged into the river. Divisional Commercial Railway Manager (DCRM) Brajendra Kumar said that many passengers were rescued from the stranded trains.
More than 150 people carrying technical equipment have been sent by the Indian Army to the spot for rescue operations.
An ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh will be given to the family of the deceased in the accident, and Rs 50,000 and Rs 25,000 will be given to those critically injured and less injured, said railways spokesperson Anil Saxena.
A passenger of Kamayni Express, Akhilesh Pratap Singh told PTI that he along with over 150 passengers, travelling in the general class coach, were stranded on a hilltop to save themselves.
The accident relief train has reached the spot and several passengers have been brought to a nearby station.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
(with PTI inputs)
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The Janata Express, en route to Mumbai from Patna, first derailed at around 11.30 pm near Harda town while crossing the Machak river. Minutes later, Kamayani Express, coming from the opposite direction from Mumbai towards Varanasi, also derailed at the same spot.
Those reported dead include 11 men, 11 women and five children, whose bodies have been recovered from the mishap site between Khirkiya and Harda stations, Madhya Pradesh Public Relation Department Commissioner Anupam Rajan told PTI today.
An inquiry headed by Commissioner Railway Safety (Central Circle) has been ordered into the accident, and railway minister Suresh Prabhu has announced ex-gratia payments to be made immediately to those injured. He is expected to make a detailed statement on the accident later today in the Parliament.
Twin Train Derailment in MP: First Pictures from the spot where trains derailed pic.twitter.com/YQv5QhaNgS
— ANI (@ANI_news) August 4, 2015According to West Central Railway PRO Piyush Mathur, the twin derailments took place as the base material on the tracks had got washed away after the recent heavy rains. The accident spot is about 160 kilometres south of Bhopal, the state capital.
"Seven bogies of Kamayani Express including the engine plus three coaches of Janata Express were derailed between Khirkiya and Bhirangi stations near Harda," Mathur said.
Meanwhile AK Mittal, Railway Board Chairman, said that a sudden flash flood had caused the incident. "Ten minutes back at this spot train movement was normal, there was no problem,"he said on Wednesday morning. "It appears that a suddenly flash flood came in 10 minutes' time, which resulted in the disturbance of track and the consequent derailment of the two trains."
Two railway helpline numbers have been issued: 05422503814, 62733
Patna Railway Station Helpline Numbers: 83288, 06122206967
Former railway minister Dinesh Trivedi said that the accident could have been avoided. "I don't consider it as an accident," he told ANI. "An accident is something which can't be avoided, this could've been avoided."
Calling it a "deep-rooted cancer" in the railways, Trivedi blamed bad maintenance as the cause behind the accident. "Truth is year after year, Railways require minimum Rs 60,000 crore to maintain and change old assets," he said. "Unfortunately they don't have money, it means knowingly you are jeopardising the life of the common man."
The two train accidents in Madhya Pradesh are deeply distressing. Deeply pained over the loss of lives. Condolences to families of deceased.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 5, 2015My prayers with the injured. Authorities are doing everything possible on the ground. The situation is being monitored very closely.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 5, 2015Very sad to learn of the derailment of 2 trains in Madhya Pradesh. My deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones in this mishap
— Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) August 5, 2015Meanwhile, rescue operations continued even as several passengers were feared trapped in water after coaches of both the train plunged into the river. Divisional Commercial Railway Manager (DCRM) Brajendra Kumar said that many passengers were rescued from the stranded trains.
More than 150 people carrying technical equipment have been sent by the Indian Army to the spot for rescue operations.
An ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh will be given to the family of the deceased in the accident, and Rs 50,000 and Rs 25,000 will be given to those critically injured and less injured, said railways spokesperson Anil Saxena.
A passenger of Kamayni Express, Akhilesh Pratap Singh told PTI that he along with over 150 passengers, travelling in the general class coach, were stranded on a hilltop to save themselves.
The accident relief train has reached the spot and several passengers have been brought to a nearby station.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
(with PTI inputs)
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