AMN/-
Death toll due to train accident near Kanpur has gone up to 95. 14 coaches of the Indore-Patna express train derailed near Pukhrayan area in Kanpur Dehat district early mornig today. SP, Kanpur Dehat Prabhakar Chowdhury, said that more than 150 have been injured. Railways officials say the number of casualties could rise.
The Railways have released helpline numbers for the people- Ujjain – 07342560906, Ratlam – 074121072, Orai – 051621072, Jhansi – 05101072, Pukhrayan – 05113270239. The death toll may go up as some passengers are still feared trapped.
Earlier reports said 63 people were killed and more than hundred injured when 14 coaches of the Indore-Patna express derailed near Pukhrayan of Kanpur Dehat district early morning today. The incident took place at around 3 AM near Pukhrayan, about 100 kms from Kanpur. Inspector General Kanpur police zone Zaki Ahmed said.
Railway opened a counter on Platform No 1 of Patna Junction to provide information to the relatives of the passengers traveling in the ill-fated Indore-Rajendra Nagar express train, reports The Hindu’s Amarnath Tewary.
“We’re giving information which we receive here to the relatives making inquiry about those traveling in the ill-fated train…we’ll also provide accommodation in trains for those who want to go to Kanpur”, Mr R K Jha, DRM, Dananpur Rail Division said.
A senior railway officer Mr Bibhuti has been deputed at the Patna railway junction to manage the help window. “We’re also in touch with the Patna district administration and along with them making all arrangement to support the relatives of the passengers”, added Mr Jha.
The railway official also said that the final list of those killed or injured in the accident has not been received yet.
Besides, Sleeper and AC coaches, there were hundreds of passengers in the general bogies so “it will take some time to get the details”.
It is said that many people from Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh were coming to their home state as the marriage season has just begun.
Very few relatives of the passengers are coming to the Patna Junction as most of them must have left for Kanpur by now, said a railway official.
Rajnath takes stock of situation
Home Minister Rajnath Singh took stock of the situation and asked the Director General of National Disaster Response Force to rush to the spot.
The Home Minister asked NDRF Chief O.P. Singh to provide all assistance to the Railway authorities and Uttar Pradesh government in relief and rescue operations. Read more.
No information
Relatives of those who were killed in the Indore-Rajendra Nagar Express train derailment near Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh are harried lot at Patna Junction. No official information or special arrangement has been made by the railways for them.
The latest information that has reached Patna Junction is that the death toll has gone up to 63 with over 150 injured. Read more.
The Ministry of Railways’ twitter handled tweeted the following update:
Stranded passengers have been moved from the accident site to Malasa station. A special train from Malasa has been arranged. The Injured passengers have been moved to Kanpur Dehat hospital.
My thoughts are with the bereaved families: PM Modi
“Anguished beyond words on the loss of lives due to the derailing of the Patna-Indore express. My thoughts are with the bereaved families,” tweets PM Narendra Modi.
Ex-gratia announced
An “enhanced amount of ex-gratia compensation to the victims of this unfortunate accident.”
Rs. 3.5 lakhs to be given to the departed’s kin as ex-gratia, tweets Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu. Compensation of Rs.50000 announced in case of grievous injury and Rs. 25000 in case of simple injury. Mr. Prabhu adds that this ex-gratia amount is in addition to the compensation that will be available through the Railway Claims Tribunal.
UP CM Akhilesh Yadav announces ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each for families of those killed in derailment and Rs 50,000 for seriously injured.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh took stock of the situation in the wake of the derailment of the Indore-Patna Express in Kanpur and asked the Director General of National Disaster Response Force to rush to the spot.
The Home Minister also spoke to Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu about the accident and took stock of the situation. Three NDRF teams have been rushed from Varanasi and Lucknow to the accident spot.
Eye witness mostly who were travelling on the ill-fated train said that the train was on average speed when suddenly they heard a loud sound and the coaches derailed when all the passengers were sleeping.
Special buses & food supplies are being arranged for the victims. PRO, Northern central railways told media that the probe is on to find out the exact cause of the accident.