AMN /
At least 30 people 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 Tuesday 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, seven coaches of Kamayani Express and five bogies plus the engine of Janata Express were derailed late Tuesday night as the base material on the tracks got washed away.
“Seven bogies of Kamayani Express and engine plus threecoaches of Janata Express were derailed between Khirkiya andBhirangi stations near Harda,” Mathur said.
“The mishap took place around11.30 PM on Tuesday as base material of the tracks got washed away in heavy rains. Nearly 25 passengers suffered injuries,” the PRO said.
According to West Central Railway PRO Piyush Mathur, seven coaches of Kamayani Express and three coaches and Engine of Janata Express derailed as base material on the tracks got washed away. The mishap took place at 11.30 PM. Railway has ordered an inquiry into the incident. Commissioner Railway Safety (Central Zone) will conduct the probe. Divisional Commercial Railway Manager Brijendra Kumar has said that many passengers have been rescued from the stranded trains. Kamayani Express was enroute to Varanasi from Mumbai. A relief train carrying Collector, SP, doctors and other railway staff has left for the accident site from Itarsi.
Ministry of Railways has said that the relief and rescue operation due the derailment of the Kamayani Express and Janata Express in Madhya Pradesh is almost over. It said, restoration work at the site is going on and the Divisional Railway Manager, Bhopal and Branch Officers are assisting at the site. It added that simple injured persons offered first aid at site and railway medical vans from Itarsi and Bhusaval are on site and provided all first aid. It said, some injured are being treated in Harda District hospital.
Railway has opened telephone help desk at Allahabad, Kanpur and Mirzapur areas to provide information relating to the rail accident in Harda Madhya Pradesh. According to North Central Railway the Railway’s HEPLINE NOs at Mirzapur is 05442-220095. For Allahabad 0532- 2408149, 2408128, and for Kanpur is 0512 -2323015, and 0512-2323016.
President Pranab Mukherjee has condoled the loss of lives due to derailment of the Kamayani Express & Janata Express in Madhya Pradesh.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed deep sorrow over the train accident in Madhya Pradesh. In a tweet, Mr Modi said the two train accidents in Madhya Pradesh are deeply distressing. He also expressed condolences to families of deceased and prayed for the injured. The Prime Minister said, authorities are doing everything possible on the ground and the situation is being monitored very closely.
In a tweet, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said, an inquiry into the incident has been ordered and ex gratia will be paid immediately. Ministry of Railways has announced an ex-gratia of 2 lakh rupees to the next of the kin of the deceased in Harda accident. It has also announced 50,000 rupees compensation to persons who are grievously injured.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi has expressed shock and grief over the unfortunate incident of twin rail accidents in Madhya Pradesh. Extending her condolences to the family of the deceased, Mrs Gandhi hoped that adequate relief and rescue measures are being undertaken by the authorities concerned.
Railway has opened telephone help desk at Allahabad, Kanpur and Mirzapur areas to provide information relating to the rail accident in Harda Madhya Pradesh. According to North Central Railway the Railway’s HEPLINE NOs at Mirzapur is 05442-220095. For Allahabad 0532- 2408149, 2408128, and for Kanpur is 0512 -2323015, and 0512-2323016.
Meanwhile several trains passing through Uttar Pradesh have been diverted. According to North Central Railway, Trains running between Gorakhpur- Mumbai route, Allahabad- Mumbai and Varanasi -Mumbai are running via Itarsi-Nagpur line. Kolkata mail from Mumbai, Jhelum Express from Pune and Punjab Mail from Mumbai CST have also been diverted.