UP: Seven dead, 21 injured after New Farakka Express train derails near Raebareli
Follow UsSeven people are dead and 21 have been injured after the New Farakka Express train derailed near Harchandpur in Uttar Pradesh's Raebareli district.
Nine coaches and the engine of the train jumped the tracks 50 metres from Harchandpur railway station. The accident took place at about 6.05 am Wednesday morning.
The train was heading to New Delhi from Malda in West Bengal.
The injured have been taken to hospital. There are fears though that the death toll may rise.
"All passengers evacuated. Special train is being arranged to take them. It may take 24-36 hours for completion of clearance operations," the Northern Railways DRM told ANI.
7 dead,21 injured after engine&9 coaches derailed.Injured taken to Dist Hospital in #Raebareli.All passengers evacuated.Special train is being arranged to take them. It may take 24-36 hrs for completion of clearance op:DRM Northern Railways on New Farakka Express Train derailment pic.twitter.com/UQOh3hHFIw
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) October 10, 2018
The National Disaster Response Force meanwhile said there was no "live victim" trapped in the wreckage.
6 died at the site of incident&27 injured taken to hospital. 1 declared dead at the hospital. There is no live victim trapped now: Sanjeev Kumar, Team Commander NDRF, on New Farakka Express Train derailment near Harchandpur railway station this morning. #Raebareli pic.twitter.com/HeN6n9qWtr
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) October 10, 2018
Railway Minister Piyush Goyal announced ex-gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh to the next of the kin of each of the deceased, Rs 1 lakh to those with serious injuries, and Rs 50,000 to those with minor injuries. He has also ordered an enquiry into the accident, which will be conducted by the Commission of Railway Safety, Northern Circle.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh to the next of the kin of each the deceased and Rs 50,000 to those with serious injuries.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi meanwhile tweeted that he was "anguished by the loss of lives".
Anguished by the loss of lives due to a rail accident in Raebareli. Condolences to the bereaved families and I pray that the injured recover quickly. UP Government, Railways and NDRF are ensuring all possible assistance at the site of the accident: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 10, 2018
#SpotVisuals: Rescue and relief operations are underway at the spot where 9 coaches of New Farakka Express train derailed in #Raebareli. 7 people died in the accident, 21 injured. pic.twitter.com/JwukreeWVY
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) October 10, 2018
Emergency helpline numbers have been set up at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Junction (what used to be Mughalsarai Junction) in UP and at Patna railway station in Bihar.
The numbers are:
Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction — BSNL: 05412-254145, Railway phone no.: 027-73677.
Patna station — BSNL: 0612-2202290, 0612-2202291, 0612-220229, Railway phone no.: 025-83288.
New Farakka Express train derailment in #Raebareli: Railway Min has directed to effectively undertake relief&rescue op & provide best possible medical help to the injured. He has ordered an inquiry which will be conducted by Commission of Railway Safety, Northern Circle(file pic) pic.twitter.com/llzbLCMWJk
— ANI (@ANI) October 10, 2018
ANI reported that Goyal had directed effective relief and rescue operations and that the "best possible medical help" be provided to the injured.
CM Yogi Adityanath has taken cognisance of the train accident 50 m from Harchandpur railway station. He has directed the DM, SP, health authorities and NDRF to provide all possible relief and rescue. https://t.co/YRVTNQTqNw
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) October 10, 2018
ANI reported earlier that Adityanath had taken cognisance of the accident and had directed the Harchandpur DM, SP, health authorities and NDRF to provide "all possible relief".