At least five people were killed and several others injured as five coaches and the engine of the New Farakka Express train derailed in Uttar Pradesh’s Raebareli district on Wednesday morning.

New Farakka Express, train number 14003, was coming from Malda Town in West Bengal to New Delhi when 5 coaches and the engine derailed 50 meters from Harchandpur railway station in Raebareli. 

Northern Railway Divisional Railway Manager Satish Kumar said the accident took place around 6.05 am. 

NDRF teams from Varanasi and Lucknow have left for the accident site to undertake rescue operations. Railway Board Chairman Ashwani Lohani has left for the accident site on the directions of Railway Minister Piyush Goyal.

A team of doctors in an Accident Relief Medical Van has been rushed to the site in Lucknow and 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.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also took note of the train accident and directed the Raebareli district magistrate, superintendent of police, health authorities and NDRF to provide all possible assistance to relief and rescue operations. 

The CM expressed his condolences for the deceased and directed to the director general of police to take all necessary action, an official said.