At least five people died and 15 others injured after five bogies of the Doon Express 13009 derailed at near Koridia village, about 35 km from Jaunpur in Uttar Pradesh.The Express, which left Howrah, was bound for Dehradun.
The accident happened at around 1:15 pm, a few minutes after it left the Jaunpur station. Sources from the Railways said that sleeper coaches S6, S7, S8 and SE of the express tilted after derailed. Another sleeper coach S9 and two second-class bogies derailed.
"Seven-eight people have been injured in the Doon Express mishap," CNN IBN quoted ADG Railways as saying.
The passengers were rescued and the injured have been taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
"We have started taking the affected passengers to hospitals. Initial phase of rescue operations have started. District administration has also sent their teams to the spot," CNN IBN quoted Railways CPRO Anil Saxena as saying.
Meanwhile, Railway Minister Mukul Roy, who is scheduled to visit the accident site in the evening, expressed his sadness over the loss of lives.
He has announced ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to the kins of those killed, Rs one lakh each to those injured and Rs 25,000 each to those who suffered minor injuries. The railways also have made arrangement for the relatives of the affected passengers, who wish to travel to the site of the accident, with special coaches to be attached to the Doon Express.
The railway minister said that Railway Board member A P Mishra had earlier mentioned possibility of sabotage but the exact cause can be found out only after an inquiry.
The railway minister has ordered a high-level inquiry to find out the cause of the accident.
Helpline numbers: At site: 9794833823, Shahganj: 09794830695, main control Lucknow: 0522-2234525, 0522-2234530, Varanasi junction: 0542-2504655 Lucknow: 0522-2234533, Howrah: 033-26413660, 033-26402241, 033-26402242, 033-26402243, Faizabad: 05278 220284, Hajipur: 06224-273293, Dhanbad: 0326-2205284, Mugalsarai: 05412-253255, Howrah: 033-26413660, 26402241, 26402242, 264022413, Bandel: 033-26316377, Bardhaman: 034-22561601, Srirampur: 033-26523070
