Train accident
[Representational Image]Reuters

At least 44 people were injured after 15 coaches of the Train no. 12988 Sealdah-Ajmer Express derailed between the Rura and Metha railway stations in Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur city around 5:20 am on Wednesday. No casualties have been reported yet.

Rescue teams are currently at the spot providing the necessary assistance to the passengers. Around 24 people have been rushed to hospitals in Kanpur and Tundla. An NDRF team has also reached the spot to assist in the rescue operation. More than two dozen ambulances have been pressed to service, according to local media reports.

"Sealdah-Ajmer express derailed when it was crossing a bridge over a dry canal in the area," Northern Central Railways PRO Amit Malviya said in a statement.

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said that ex-gratia would be given to the injured and that they are being administered medical aid. Prabhu said that a thorough investigation would be carried out to ascertain the cause of the accident. He has also announced a compensation of Rs 50,000 for critically injured passengers and Rs 25,000 for those who suffered minor injuries.

The cause of the accident is not known yet but low visibility due to fog could be a reason. 

Buses have been pressed into service to take stranded passengers to the Kanpur Central Railway Station, from where they can travel to their respective destinations, the Times of India reported.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has announced a compensation of Rs 50,000 for critically injured passengers and Rs 25,000 for those who suffered minor injuries.

List of trains diverted:

This accident comes a month after the Indore-Patna Express train accident that claimed the lives of around 145 people and injured over 200 in the Dehat district of Uttar Pradesh on November 20.

Helpline Numbers: Kanpur: 0512-2323015, 2323016, 2323018

Allahabad: 0532-2408149, 2408128, 2407353

Tundla: 05612-220337, 220338, 220339

Aligarh: 0571-2404056, 2404055

Railways helpline numbers: 09935024350 and 0979485953

2.02 pm IST: Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu has also announced a compensation of Rs 50,000 for critically injured passengers and Rs 25,000 for those who suffered minor injuries.

1.36 pm IST: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has announced a compensation of Rs 50,000 for critically injured passengers and Rs 25,000 for those who suffered minor injuries.

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9.31 am IST: Helpline numbers issued by the Ministry of Railways: #SealdahAjmer Express train derailment: Ministry of Railways issue helpline numbers for further assistance. pic.twitter.com/t8pA6oMaJa — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 28, 2016 9.29 am IST: "Passengers are being rescued. Alternate arrangements are being made for those who want to continue with their journey," District Magistrate of Kanpur Dehat Kumar Ravikant Singh told ANI. 9.27 am IST: Visuals from the spot where #SealdahAjmer Express train derailed near Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh); 2 dead, 28 injured. Rescue operations underway pic.twitter.com/yE1OUZCcZa — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 28, 2016

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7.54 am IST: "No indication of casualties as of now. Ambulances and medical relief team has reached the spot. There could be some minor injuries because of the derailment which is being attended. Rescue and relief operations underway. As per preliminary reports, 15 coaches of the train got derailed. The first fice and the last three coaches were intact," Anil Saxena, Indian Railways Spox, told ANI.

7.45 am IST: Prabhu, in a series of tweets, said: 

"(I am) personally monitoring the situation in wake of the unfortunate derailment of the Sealdah-Ajmer Express near Kanpur. (I) have directed senior officials to reach the site immediately. Immediate medical help is being provided to the injured. (I have) mobilized resources (and) directed all concerned to ensure rescue and relief."

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5.20 am IST: Train no. 12987 Sealdah-Ajmer Express derails between Rura and Metha railway stations near Kanpur.