27 Dead as Kamayani, Janata Express Trains Derail in Madhya Pradesh:

Uncategorized

HARDA, MADHYA PRADESH: At least 27 people have died and 40 are injured after two passenger trains derailed within minutes of each other while crossing flooded tracks in Madhya Pradesh late on Tuesday night. More than 300 people were rescued overnight.

Six coaches of the Kamayani Express running from Mumbai to Varanasi derailed at around 11:30 pm while crossing a culvert near the Machak river close to Harda, about 160 kilometres from state capital Bhopal. (Pics)
Minutes later, an engine and four coaches of the Janata Express, going to Mumbai from Jabalpur, derailed. Among those who have died are 10 women and five children, the Madhya Pradesh government said.
A railway official said water flooding the tracks entered the derailed coaches. Earlier reports had said that the coaches fell into the river.
Railway Chairman AK Mittal said a flash flood caved the tracks as the soil shifted. The surge of water had weakened the culvert, which collapsed, he said.
Even 10 minutes before the accident, Mr Mittal said, the tracks were intact and many trains had passed safely.
Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu tweeted, “Enquiry ordered,Ex gratia to be paid immediately.Flooding of tracks due to very heavy downpour.Will make detailed statement to parliament.”
People who live near the accident site played a big role in rescue efforts in the middle of the night, with rescue teams delayed because heavy rain and flooding had damaged roads.]
A senior official said at about 7.30 am, most of the people trapped in the derailed coaches had been rescued. The unaffected coaches of the two trains were detached and moved to Itarsi. Three special trains took doctors and rescue teams to the accident site.
A 35-member team of the National Disaster Response Force or NDRF has been dispatched with equipment like gas cutters from Bhopal to rescue any people who may still be trapped on the derailed coaches.
“The two train accidents in Madhya Pradesh are deeply distressing. Deeply pained over the loss of lives. Condolences to families of deceased,” tweeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi.