At least seven passengers died and up to 35 were injured after nine coaches and the engine of the New Farakka Express derailed near Uttar Pradesh’s Raebareli on Wednesday morning, PTI reported, quoting Additional Director General (law and order) Anand Kumar. No passenger is still trapped, the National Disaster Response Force told ANI.
The accident took place at around 6 am about 50 metres from Harchandpur railway station.
The injured are being taken to Harchandpur primary health centre and the district hospital. Other passengers are going to Lucknow and will be sent to Delhi by a special train from there, officials told PTI.
“It may take 24 to 36 hours to complete the clearance operations,” DRM Kumar told ANI. Drones and long-range cameras are being used to monitor the situation. All lines on the route have been blocked.
Teams of the National Disaster Response Force with 40 personnel have reached the spot. Emergency helpline numbers have been set up at Deen Dayal Upadhyaya junction, according to PTI. Railway Board chairperson Ashwani Lohani is on his way to the accident site, reported News18.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Adityanath has asked administrative officials, including the district magistrate and superintendent of police, and health authorities to provide all possible help. The chief minister announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the next of the kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 compensation for those with serious injuries, ANI reported.
Railway Minister Piyush Goyal also announced an ex gratia compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the families of those who died, Rs 1 lakh for those with serious injuries and Rs 50,000 for those with minor injuries, ANI reported.
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