At least four people were killed and 20 others injured after eight bogies of the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express derailed near Uttar Pradesh’s Gonda railway station on Thursday.
The train, which left from Chandigarh station at 11.35 pm on Wednesday, was bound for Dibrugarh in Assam. The derailment happened between Motiganj-Jhilahi railway stations in Gonda district of Uttar Pradesh.
Top officials of the Railways department are present on the spot. At least 15 ambulances and 40 members of medical teams are on the spot. A team of State Disaster Response Force also reached the spot and assisted in the rescue work.
According to sources, both loco pilots of the train are safe. Railways sources said the loco pilot heard a loud explosion-like sound before the derailment. The Railways is examining the possibility of sabotage.
Gonda District Magistrate Neha Sharma reached the accident spot and said, “Eight coaches have derailed and four casualties have been reported so far, all others have been rescued. All available ambulances have reached here and locals have supported us in rescue operation.”
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed the officials to reach the spot immediately and expedite the relief work.
“The train accident in Gonda district is extremely unfortunate. District administration officials have been directed to carry out relief and rescue operations on a war footing and to take the injured to the hospital on top priority and provide them proper treatment. I pray to Lord Shri Ram for the speedy recovery of the injured,” Yogi Adityanath said in a statement.
The Ministry of Railways has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakhs to the family of the deceased, Rs 2.5 lakhs for grievous injury and Rs 50,000 to those with minor injureies. A high-level enquiry has been ordered by the Railways.
Due to the derailment, two trains have been cancelled and 11 diverted on the route.
The Railways has established helpline numbers for different stations:
Lucknow (LJN) – 8957409292
Gonda (GD) – 8957400965
Commercial Control : 9957555984
Furkating (FKG): 9957555966
Mariani (MXN): 6001882410
Simalguri (SLGR): 8789543798
Tinsukia (NTSK): 9957555959
Dibrugarh (DBRG): 9957555960