50 FEARED KILLED IN TRAIN ACCIDENT IN UP

AMN

updated

50 people are feared dead in a major train accident in Uttar Pradesh. According to reports 14 coaches of Puri-Haridwar-Kalinga Utkal Express derailed in Khatauli, UP, 100 Kms from Delhi. More toll feared.

however according to government sources 23 people have died and over 72 injured after 14 coaches of the Utkal Express ran off the tracks in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday evening.

The accident took place around 5:46 pm in Khatauli in Muzaffarnagar, about 100 kilometres from New Delhi. The train was headed from Puri in Odisha to Haridwar in Uttarakhand, a journey of about 36 hours. Television footage showed coaches piled on top of others while one carriage crashed into a house on the side of the tracks.
‘Unofficial’ track maintenance could be reason behind Utkal train accident

It has emerged that that driver of the train was unaware of track maintenance being carried out at the spot where the mishap occurred on Saturday. The accident, said railway sources, seemed to be the result of the failure and negligence of railways staff.

Several Trains diverted due to derailment of UTKAL EXPRESS

An official said railways staff was engaged in “unofficial” maintenance of the track at the time of accident, which means they did not put any speed restrictions through red flag or signal warning on the route while the maintenance work was going on.

Earlier  ADG (Railway) V K Maurya said here that as per the preliminary information five passengers have been killed, while over 50 were injured.

He said six bogies have derailed and rescue and relief works have been started.

One coach of the 18477 Utkal Express from Puri to Haridwar was said to have rolled off the track and entered a house near the railway line. Two coaches were totally mangled while some of the coaches climbed on each other.

The accident happened in Khatauli which about 40 km away from Muzaffarnagar.

TV NEWS reported that so far 20 people have been admitted to the hospital but the unofficial figure must be much more. The reason behind the accident is still not clear. So far no passengers have been reported dead.

The rescue operations are currently going on and the number of injured people might go up. The locals have reached the spot are helping with the relief operations. It is being believed that there could be the hand of a terror outfit behind this incident and an ATS team has left for the spot.

Meanwhile, Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu has assured that he is personally monitoring the situation and has ordered enquiry on the same.

Prabhu took to Twitter to share information on the same and posted, “Have ordered inquiry into the unfortunate accident to ascertain the cause. Strict action will be taken against any lapse.”

“I am personally monitoring situation. Hv instructed senior officers to reach site immediately and ensure speedy rescue and relief operations.”

He also informed, “In close touch with @CMOfficeUP , State Government officials,district administration to coordinate rescue and relief operations.”