28 dead as 2 trains derail in Madhya Pradesh while crossing a swollen river

Harda, Madhya Pradesh: At least 28 persons were killed and 25 others injured after the seven coaches of Kamayani Express and five bogies of Janata Express derailed while crossing a swollen Machak river near Harda late last night.

Twenty four bodies, including nine men, 10 women and five kids, have been recovered so far from the mishap site between Khirkiya and Harda stations, Madhya Pradesh Public Relation Department Commissioner Anupam Rajan said on Wednesday.

The toll could further go up, he said. According to West Central Railway PRO Piyush Mathur seven coaches of Kamayani Express and five bogies plus the engine of Janata Express were derailed late last night as the base material on the tracks got washed away.

"Seven bogies of Kamayani Express and engine plus three coaches of Janata Express were derailed between Khirkiya and Bhirangi stations near Harda," Mathur said.

Read: Flooding of tracks caused derailment of trains in Madhya Pradesh: Railways

"The mishap took place around 11.30 PM on Tuesday as base material of the tracks got washed away in heavy rains. Nearly 25 passengers suffered injuries," the PRO said.

Divisional Commercial Railway Manager (DCRM) Brajendra Kumar said that search operation has been launched in nearby areas to find people who might have got washed away in heavy floods.

Bhopal Railway PRO said that over 250 passengers were rescued so far.

A passenger of Kamayni Express, Akhilesh Pratap Singh said 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.

Read: Narendra Modi expresses distress over twin train accident in Madhya Pradesh

Kamayani Express enroute to Varanasi from Mumbai derailed near Harda, about 160 kms from Bhopal, and the Mumbai-Jabalpur Janata Express derailed around 11.30 late last night.

A relief train with doctors and paramedical staff was rushed to the accident site.

"Rushing emergency medical & other relief personnel to spot. Darkness, water creating hurdles but ordered all possible help. Trying our best (sic), " Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu posted on Twitter.

Prabhu said efforts were underway to pull back the bogies. "We r gearing up all possible help on basis of info, will not spare any efforts," the Railway Minister said in a series of tweets.

"Rail Admn & MP govt working together to rescue passengers of Kamyani express accident.Directed GM, DRM,RPF medical staff to rush," he added.

Read: Railways order inquiry into twin train mishaps in Madhya Pradesh

Close on the heels of the Kamayani Express' derailment, another train -- Janata Express from Jabalpur to Mumbai also derailed near the spot, Hoshangabad Divisional Commissioner V K Badham said.

The rest bogies of Kamayani Express have been pulled back to Harda station

Central Railway (CR) has set up four helpline numbers to provide relief to passengers. The Helpline numbers are - at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus 022-22694040, LTT 022-25280005, Thane 022-25334840 and 0251-2311499 at Kalyan.

The Kamayani express that originated from Mumbai and headed towards Varanasi was carrying passengers with full capacity of about 900, officials said. CR authorities, are, however, assessing the chart to verify it. Many express trains on the route have been diverted due to the major mishap.

According to a CR statement, Kolhapur-Hazrat Nizamuddin Express has been diverted via Bhusaval-Surat, Jhelum express, Punjab Mail, Kushinagar express, Amritsar Express via Jalgaon and Bhopal, Mangala Express via Bhusaval-Surat-Bairahgarh-Nishatpura.

CST-Howrah Mail has been diverted via Allahabad, Rajendranagar express (Up & Down, Mahanagari express, 11078 Jhelum Express, Gorakhpur-CST Express have also been diverted.

A senior CR official said the incident could lead to cancellation and short termination of the trains, which were being worked out. At least 40 trains could be affected. At least 24 persons were killed and 25 others injured after the seven coaches of Kamayani Express and five bogies of Janata Express derailed while crossing a swollen Machak river near Harda late last night.

Railway Ministry Suresh Prabhu has ordered an inquiry into the twin derailment cases and announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the next of the kin of the deceased, Rs 50,000 to grievously injured and 25,000 to those who sustained minor injuries.

He said all efforts are underway to rescue the passengers and top officials have been rushed to the site.