Seemanchal Express: Six people died in the train accident, officials said
At least six people have died and 24 others were injured after nine coaches of Delhi-bound Seemanchal Express derailed today in Bihar's Vaishali at 3.52 AM. Several people are reported to be injured. The office of Railway Minister Piyush Goyal tweeted that rescue and relief operations are on after derailment the nine coaches of Jogbani-Anand Vihar Terminal Seemanchal Express at Sahadai Buzurg, Bihar.
Rescue operations are underway and helpline numbers have been issued, the Railway Ministry said. "Rescue and relief operations are on for derailment of 9 coaches of Jogbani-Anand Vihar Terminal Seemanchal express at Sahadai Buzurg, Bihar," Piyush Goyal's office tweeted.
Among the nine coaches that derailed, three are sleeper coaches - S8, S9, S10, one general coach, one AC coach B3, said East Central Railway spokesperson Rajesh Kumar. A team of doctors has been sent from nearby towns of Sonpur and Barauni to the site of accident.
Here are the highlights on the train accident:
Railways has issued a clarification that six people have died in the accident, and not seven as previously reported.
Six passengers who died in the accident have been identified- Six passengers who died in the accident have been identified, one body yet to be identified. The condition of three people said to be critical.
- All the passengers were served tea, food packets and packed drinking water.
- Each coach being manned by commercial and RPF staff.
- Affected passengers have been transported to Hajipur and Danapur railway stations
- Arrangements for refunds to the passengers who do not want to continue their journey have been ensured at different stations.
- Arrangements for ex gratia payment has been made.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed anguish over the death of people in the train accident in Bihar.
"Deeply anguished by the loss of lives due to the derailment of coaches of the Seemanchal Express. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover quickly," the PM tweeted.
He said, Railways, NDRF, and local authorities are providing all possible assistance in the wake of the accident.
Officials say the coaches separated from the engine before they derailed; three of the coaches overturned completely. Personnel of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) had to climb on them and break the hardened glass of the AC coaches and cut through the iron grills of the sleeper coaches to reach trapped passengers.
Principal Secretary, Disaster Management Department, Pratyay Amrit said that the identities of the victim was yet to be confirmed.
"The identity of the deceased was yet to be confirmed. Rescue operations are in full swing and an accident relief train has been sent to the site of the mishap. A team of the NDRF has also reached the spot," Mr Kumar said.
Seven people have been confirmed dead in the accident. Officials said that the seven bodies have been brought to Hajipur Sadar hospital for post-mortem.
Apart from Railway Administration and State Administration, NDRF is also assisting Railways in relief and rescue operations.
Railway Minister Piyush Goyal announces Rs 5 lakh compensation to the immediate relative of those killed. Those injured in the accident will receive Rs 1 lakh, his office said.
Teams of NDRF conducting rescue operation.
The accident took place near "Sahdoi Bujurg" railway station.
As per preliminary investigations, the engine of the express train decoupled and chugged forward with the first few coaches and those decoupled eventually derailed.
"There was a loud noise, and we fell down. Someone broke the window from outside. When I saw the broken window, I lifted by father up and he was pulled out by my brother," a passenger told NDTV.
Help lines at Patna
06122202290
06122202291
06122202292
06122213234
Rly no 025-83288
Help lines at Samastipur
06274-224061
06274-232131
Two teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are currently at the site.
One person is believed to be trapped inside one of the affected coaches and the number dead is likely to rise, a police official said.
Minister Piyush Goyal said that he is taking regular updates from railway officials regarding the rescue operations.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has expressed grief over the accident. Mr Kumar has directed the administration to provide all kind of assistance.
Two teams of NDRF have reached the spot: Railway official
"We are focusing on rescue and relief operations right now. Railway Accident Medical Van along with team of doctors are at site. Two teams of NDRF have also reached the spot," Smita Vats Sharma, Additional Director General PR (Rail), said.
The superfast train was running at full speed when the accident took place, officials said. Three of the coaches overturned and the high force of the impact destroyed them completely.
14 passengers have been injured in the train derailment, officials said.
All passenger trains on the route have been cancelled.
Nine coaches of Seemanchal Express derailed near Sahadai Buzurg at around 3:52 am.
People climb out of an overturned coach of the Seemanchal Express in Bihar.
One general coach, one AC coach B3, three sleeper coaches -S8, S9, S10 and four more coaches have derailed, said East Central Railway spokesperson Rajesh Kumar.