FIVE KILLED IN RAE BARELI TRAIN DERAILMENT
▪ Nine coaches and the engine of the New Delhi-bound New Farakka Express derailed near Harchandpur area of Rae Bareli on Wednesday, killing five passengers and seriously injuring 19.
▪ Railways minister Piyush Goya, announced compensation of ₹5 lakh for the kin of the dead, ₹1 lakh for the injured and ₹50,000 for those with minor injuries.
▪ PM Narendra Modi, Congress president Rahul Gandhi and UPA chairperson and Rae Bareli MP Sonia Gandhi have condoled the deaths.
RAEBARELI:At least five passengers died and 19 others were injured after nine coaches of Delhi-bound MLDT NDLS Express derailed near Harchandpur area of Rae Bareli district early on Wednesday, officials said.
The railway authorities have ordered a high-level probe into the mishap. Northern Railway (NR) officials said the accident might have occurred due to a technical snag.
Chief public relations officer (CPRO), NR, Deepak Kumar said five passengers lost their lives while 19 were injured in the mishap.
“The deceased passengers have been identified as Ajay Puri (45), Dinesh (4), Shambhu (20), Anita (45) and Rita (4). Six injured passengers have been referred to the King George’s Medical University in Lucknow, 10 with minor injuries are being treated at Rae Bareli Civil Hospital and 3 others were discharged after primary medical aid,” said Kumar.
The incident took place near Harchandpur station on Rae Bareli-Lucknow section when the train was heading towards Delhi.
Railway minister Piyush Goyal announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the kin of the deceased, monetary help of Rs 1 lakh to severely injured, and Rs 50,000 to those suffering minor injuries.
UP chief minister’s office also announced ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 monetary relief to the injured. Soon after the incident, senior railway officials of Lucknow division rushed to the site with a medical relief train to start rescue work.
Train traffic remained badly affected on Rae Bareli-Lucknow section. At least half-a-dozen trains were cancelled and more than half-a-dozen others were terminated and diverted.
Railways officials said it would take about 16 hours to remove the engine and the coaches and repair damaged tracks.
Kanhaiya Kumar, a resident of Hachandpur, said: “It was around 6:05am when the derailment took place, leaving nine bogies off the track. The intensity of the derailment can be gauged from the fact that the bogies skidded to the surrounding fields.”
A passenger Krishna Pratap said, “I thought we have been hit by an earthquake. Nothing was visible. After some time we realised that our train has derailed. I am a part of a group of 21 labourers going to Punjab for work. One of our associates Ajay Kumar is still missing.”
In a tweet, President Ram Nath Kovind expressed grief over the loss of lives in the train mishap.
“Heartfelt condolences to bereaved families and wishing early recovery to those injured,” Kovind tweeted.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress president Rahul Gandhi and UPA chairperson and Rae Bareli MP Sonia Gandhi also condoled the deaths.
“Anguished by the loss of lives in a rail accident in Rae Bareli. Condolences to the bereaved families and I pray that the injured recover quickly. UP government, railways and NDRF are ensuring all possible assistance at the site of accident,” the Prime Minister’s office tweeted quoting Modi.