West Bengal: Three killed, 20 injured after Guwahati-Bikaner train derails; PM takes stock of situation
TV footage showed a number of coaches lying sideways down the elevated tracks as rescue workers were seen trying to extricate the passengers
At least three people were killed and more than 20 injured when 12 coaches of Bikaner-Guwahati Express train (train no. 15633UP) derailed and overturned near Dohomoni in West Bengal's Jalpaiguri district on Thursday, officials said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was in the middle of a meeting with chief ministers to review the COVID-19 situation, inquired West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee about the accident.
TV footage showed a number of coaches lying sideways down the elevated tracks as rescue workers were seen trying to extricate the passengers.
The accident occurred around 5 pm in an area under the Alipurduar division of Northeast Frontier Railway, an NFR spokesperson said in Guwahati.
Banerjee, who had spoken to the Jalpaiguri district magistrate, briefed the prime minister about the relief and rescue operations.
"Guwahati-Bikaner Express 15633 (up) derailed at about 5 pm this evening. 12 coaches have been affected. DRM and ADRM rushed to the site along with accident relief train and medical van," Indian Railways informed.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has rushed two teams to rescue passengers trapped after multiple bogies of the Guwahati-Bikaner Express (15633) derailed in West Bengal's Jalpaiguri district on Thursday.
Soon after, NDRF Director General Atul Karwal directed the dispatch of two teams to rescue people. "NDRF's two teams have been dispatched and will reach shortly," NDRF Director General told ANI. Some estimates suggest that as many as 12 coaches suffered damage when the derailment took place.
Indian Railways said that the injured have been taken to Jalpaigudi District Hospital and New Moinagudi district hospital.
The train that originated from Bikaner in Rajasthan was heading to Guwahati in Assam via Patna when the accident took place near Domohani in Jalpaiguri around 5 pm on Thursday.
The train was merely passing Jalpaiguri at the time of the incident. It is estimated that over 1,000 passengers were on board, including 308 who boarded the train from Bikaner.
"Following a sudden jerk, several bogies overturned," a passenger told ANI.
The accident occurred more than 90 km from Alipurduar Junction, he added.
"An accident relief train with a medical team is on way to the spot. We are awaiting further details, the spokesperson said.
A high-level Commissioner Railway Safety enquiry has been ordered in the accident.
With inputs from agencies
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