Patna: 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:
Feb 03, 2019 13:37 (IST)
Railways has issued a clarification that six people have died in the accident, and not seven as previously reported.
Feb 03, 2019 10:22 (IST)
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.
Feb 03, 2019 09:51 (IST)
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.
Feb 03, 2019 09:44 (IST)
Apart from Railway Administration and State Administration, NDRF is also assisting Railways in relief and rescue operations.
Feb 03, 2019 09:33 (IST)
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.
Feb 03, 2019 08:38 (IST)
As per preliminary investigations, the engine of the express train decoupled and chugged forward with the first few coaches and those decoupled eventually derailed.
Feb 03, 2019 07:56 (IST)
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has expressed grief over the accident. Mr Kumar has directed the administration to provide all kind of assistance.
Feb 03, 2019 07:35 (IST)
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.
Feb 03, 2019 07:33 (IST)
14 passengers have been injured in the train derailment, officials said.
Feb 03, 2019 07:23 (IST)
All passenger trains on the route have been cancelled.