Seemanchal Express derailment: Rescue ops are on
Nine coaches of 12487 Seemanchal Express derailed early on Sunday morning near Bijhar's Hajipur. At least six people have been reported dead by the eyewitnesses and railway officials. Several passengers have been reported to be injured, eyewitnesses say that the death toll could rise. The visuals from the scene indicate that several passengers were still stuck in bogies which have turned turtle.
The Railway Minister's office has said that rescue and relief operations were underway. The ministry has issued helpline numbers - Sonpur 06158221645 Hajipur 06224272230 Barauni 06279232222 to answer the queries of kin of the passengers.
ADG PR Smita Vats told India TV that the rescue and relief work has been launched. The first priority is to rescue passengers and then clear the line for other trains, she said.
According to sources, Jogbani-Anand Vihar Terminal Seemanchal express derailed after a loud thud noise at around 3.58 am near Sahadai Buzurg. The cause of the accident is still unknown.
#SeemanchalExpress derails near Hajipur in Bihar: AT least 6 people have been killed as 9 bogies of the Delhi-bound train derailed. The rescue ops are on. pic.twitter.com/HU6ajSYiLg
— India TV (@indiatvnews) February 3, 2019
As per information received from Sonpur Division, the train passed Mehnar Road at 3.52 am and derailed at Sahadai Buzurg at around 03:58 am by 9 coaches. Team of doctors have been rushed to accident site from Sonpur and Barauni. Accident relief train has also moved for carrying out relief and rescue operations, official sources told India TV this morning. Two NDRF teams has reached the site of the accident.Evacuation of stranded passenger at site planned by a special train.
Meanwhile, locals have been trying to assist the rescue operations.
The derailed coaches included three sleepers (S8, S9, S10) and one general and one AC (B3), East Central Railway spokesperson Rajesh Kumar told media. The trains on Bihar-Delhi route are notorious for overloading and passengers traveling without due reservation. This fact may cause trouble for Railway authorities in identifying injured, deceased or missing passengers.
Help line numbers
Sonpur 06158221645
Hajipur 06224272230
Barauni 0627923222
All passenger trains on this route have been cancelled. Also, Uttar Pradesh trains for Chapra have been diverted via Muzaffarpur (MFP)-Chapra. Railways have ordered an enquiry into the incident. The charge of inquiry has been given to CRS Eastern Circle Latif Khan.
Railway Minister Piyush Goyal is reportedly is in touch with Railway Board members and GM ECR regarding developments at accident site. He has directed to effectively undertake relief and rescue operation. He has expressed profound grief over the loss of innocent lives in this tragic accident and wished speedy recovery for the injured.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has also expressed grief over the Seemanchal Express derailmentand has directed the administration to provide all kind of assistance.
Watch live coverage of the rescue ops after the accident on India TV: