40 feared killed, over 100 injured as express train rams into goods train in Uttar Pradesh

Lucknow: The horrible run of the railways with mishaps continues unabated. Forty persons were feared killed and over 100 injured when six bogies of the Gorakhdham Express derailed after hitting a stationary goods train in Sant Kabir Nagar in eastern Uttar Pradesh on Monday morning. Local sources said that the toll could be higher since many passengers were still trapped inside the mangled bogies.

ADG (law and order) Mukul Goel, claimed that “only 14-15 people were reported dead” and 93 had been injured. He said that 10 persons were seriously injured and were being treated in hospitals in Gorakhpur and Basti.

The train was on its way from Gorakhpur to Delhi when it crashed into the stationary goods train at Chureb railway station at Sant Kabir Nagar. Both the trains were on the same track when the accident took place around 10.45 am.

Mr Virendra Kumar, ADG Railways, said that 21 bodies including that of the train driver had been evacuated and the injured passengers had been shifted to hospitals. Mr Bharat Lal Rai, district magistrate of Sant Kabir Nagar said that the bogies had telescoped into each other and would have to be cut open to rescue the passengers.

Passengers said that relief and rescue operations began almost three hours after the collision. “Some of the bodies have been crushed so badly that they are beyond recognition. Railway officials did not reach the site for almost three hours and it was left to the local administration and the local people to provide whatever help they could,”an eye witness told a news channel.

Mr Alok Singh CPRO, Northern Railway, said that senior officials along with medical vans had reached the site of the accident and emergency services and relief trains have also been moved to Sant Kabir Nagar.

Railway officials said four were general coaches an AC first class and an AC II tier bogies had derailed. An inquiry by the commissioner, railway safety, (Northeast circle) P.K Bajpai has been ordered into the mishap.

The railways also announced a compensation of Rs 1lakh to the family of those killed and Rs 50,000 for those seriously injured and Rs 10,000 for those who have sustained simple injuries.
Officials said that three trains were cancelled till the clearing of the tracks and eight diverted.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his predecessor Manmohan SIngh offered condolences to the families of the victims. “My condolences to families of those who lost their lives in the Gorakhdham Express tragedy. Prayers with the injured,” Mr Modi tweeted.

He directed cabinet secretary Ajit Seth to take an overview of the situation to ensure timely assistance to the injured. UP Governor B.L. Joshi and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav have expressed their condolences. The BSP demanded a high-level probe into the mishap.