AMN
At least 12 passengers have been killed and several injured Uttakal Express train derailed at Khatauli railway station in Muzaffarnagar district in Uttar Pradesh.
CMO Muzaffarnagar Dr PS Misra said that 12 bodies have been recovered till now from bogies. Number of causalities may increase as several passengers have received serious injuries.
According to State Principal Secretary (Home) Arvind Kumar, 12 bogies of Haridwar bound Uttakal Express today derailed. Rescue and relief operation is underway by local administration and railway personnel. Train movement on Ambala- Meerut- Saharanpur rail route has been stopped. In view of any terror module behind the derailment a team of ATS of state police has rushed to the accident spot. Senior administrative, police and railway officers are on the spot to monitor rescue and relief operation.
Accident relief train has been sent to the spot. 45 member NDRF teams have also been rushed to the spot and 17 companies of PAC have also rushed to the spot. Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu has ordered an inquiry into the accident to ascertain the cause. He said, strict action will be taken against the employee responsible for any lapse. MoS Railways Manoj Sinha is rushing to the accident spot.
In a series of tweets, Mr Prabhu said, he is personally monitoring the situation. He said, medical vans have been rushed to the site and all efforts being made to ensure speedy relief and rescue operations.
The Minister said, he has instructed Railway Board Chairman and Member Traffic to oversee rescue and relief operations. He also instructed General Manager and other senior officers to ensure all possible help to the passengers. Railway Minister said, he is also in close touch with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and district administration of the State to coordinate rescue and relief operations.
Extremely pained by the derailment of the Utkal Express in Muzaffarnagar. My thoughts are with the families of the deceased: PM
