Jaipur:
A train crash near Jaipur in Rajasthan early on Saturday left six people dead and more than 21 injured.
The Mandore Express was on its way from Jodhpur to Delhi, when 15 of its coaches derailed at Banskho, 40 kilometers beyond Jaipur. The cause of the accident is not known.
Fortunately, the train's slow speed reduced the number of casualties. A relief train from Delhi is on its way to the location.
Stranded passengers have been put on government buses to reach their destinations. The injured have been admitted in Jaipur's Sawai Mansingh Hospital; three of them are said to be in a serious condition.
The Railway Ministry has announced Rs 5 lakh compensation for familiesof the dead, Rs 1 lakh for the seriously injured and 10,000 for thosewith minor injuries. The Rajasthan Government has also announced Rs 2lakh compensation for families of the dead.
It's likely to take several hours for traffic on the Jaipur-Delhi train route to get back to normal. For information, call the following toll free helplines: 18001806131, 18001806066, 9414243871, 9462609387
This accident is the fifth this year:
- February 13, 2009: 12 carriages of the Coromandel Express derailed soon after the train left Jajpur Road station in Orissa
- October 21, 2009: 21 people died, several others were injured when the Goa Express rammed into the Mewar Express near Mathura, Uttar Pradesh
- November 4, 2009: 12 coaches of The Gandhidham Express jumped the tracks, but the passengers had a miraculous escape.Only 12 people were injured.
- November 11 2009: 10 coaches of Mysore-Ajmer Express derailed 80 kms before Pune; no casualities reported