New Delhi:
The total number of casualties in the Gorakhdham Express mishap rose to 23 today, a day after the Express train rammed a stationary freight train near Khalilabad in Uttar Pradesh on Monday, said officials.
The toll is expected to increase further. The UP Home Department said in a statement that at least 40 people were feared killed in the accident.
Six bogies of the Gorakhpur-bound Gorakhdham Express train were damaged in the accident which occurred at around 10.35 am on Monday near Churaib railway station, said officials of railways and the district administration.
Preliminary reports said fractured rails could be the cause of the accident, according to railway sources.
Rescue workers struggled to extricate the passengers trapped in the mangled bogies which had overturned following the collision. Paramilitary personnel were called in to assist in the operations.
An inquiry by Commissioner of Railway Safety North East Circle P K Bajpayee has been ordered, Chairman of Railway Board Arunendra Kumar said, adding the exact cause of the accident will be ascertained only after it is completed.
CPRO of North-Eastern Railway Alok Singh said the train derailed and the bogies crashed into the goods train, which was standing on the adjoining track.
Rail traffic between Delhi and Gorakhpur was hit and a number of trains were diverted, railway officials said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs two lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased.
Railways has declared compensation of Rs one lakh to the next of the kin of dead and Rs 50,000 for those who sustained grievous injuries, besides Rs 10,000 to passengers who suffered minor injuries.
The state government has announced free treatment to the injured and hospitals have been put on alert.
Sant Kabir Nagar is about 242 km from Uttar Pradesh capital Lucknow and over 700 km from national capital Delhi. Emergency helpline numbers in Delhi and Gorakhpur have been activated.
Trains were diverted to other tracks to avoid the wreckage.