Lucknow: Seven people were killed as eight coaches and the engine of the New Farakka Express (14003) derailed near Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday, additional director general (ADG), law and order, Anand Kumar said.
Six people died at the site of the incident while one passenger succumbed to injuries at the hospital, 21 passengers were injured who are being transported to hospitals. No live victims are trapped at the moment, said Sanjeev Kumar, team commander of NDRF to ANI.
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The accident took place in Harchandpur area of Rae Bareli district at 6:10 am.
The injured are being taken to the Harchandpur PHC and district hospital.
The other passengers were being sent to Lucknow, from where they will be sent to Delhi by a special train, officials said.
- Emergency helpline numbers have been set up at the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya junction, Mughalsarai, officials said.
Senior officers, including the district magistrate, superintendent of police, CO, sub-divisional magistrate are at the spot and relief operations are in full swing, the ADG said.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team and rescue train have reached the accident site.
The ADG said an Anti-Terrorism Squad will be reach the site for a probe, after which the reason for derailment could be identified.
Emergency helpline numbers have been set up at the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya junction, Mughalsarai, officials said.
All up and down lines on the route have been blocked and officials suspect that the number of casualties may rise.
Previously, the railways had said that six coaches had derailed.
Meanwhile, sources said Railway Board chairman Ashwani Lohani was on his way to the accident site.
Railway minister, Adityanath and Modi express concern
Railway minister Piyush Goyal has been in touch with the administration and has directed officials to effectively undertake relief and rescue operations and provide best possible medical help to the injured.
Expressing condolences over the loss of lives, Goyal has ordered an enquiry into the accident to be conducted by the commission of railway safety, Northern Circle.
Taking note of the incident, UP chief minister Adityanath directed the district magistrate, the superintendent of police, health authorities and the NDRF to provide all possible assistance to relief and rescue operations, an official spokesperson said.
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The chief minister expressed condolences for the deceased and directed the director general of police to take all necessary action.
Adityanath also announced Rs 2 lakh compensation for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for those seriously injured.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted about the incident, saying, “Anguished by the loss of lives due to a rail accident in Raebareli. Condolences to the bereaved families and I pray that the injured recover quickly. UP Government, Railways and NDRF are ensuring all possible assistance at the site of the accident.”