2 trains derail, low speed saves lives

WHILE SEVEN COACHES OF SHAKTIPUNJ EXPRESS WENT OFF TRACKS IN SONBHADRA, A COACH AND ENGINE OF RAJDHANI EXPRESS GOT DERAILED IN NEW DELHI

Seven coaches of the Howrah-Jabalpur Shaktipunj Express derailed near Sonbhadra in Uttar Pradesh early on Thursday, a railway spokesperson said, adding no one was injured in the accident.

The train was coming from Kolkata and was bound for Jabalpur when it derailed near Obra Dam in Sonbhadra.

On the same day, the engine and a coach of Ranchi-Delhi Rajdhani Express derailed in Delhi. Railway officials confirmed no passenger was injured in the accident that happened at Shivaji Bridge near Connaught Place in central Delhi.

On the UP incident, some officials said the slow speed of the train -- 40 km/hr – at the time of the accident averted injuries.

In the Delhi incident too, the train was running at 5 kmph before pulling into New Delhi Railway Station, which prevented a major accident. Some passengers told HT that they did not feel the impact.

“Only engine and power car are affected. Speed was very less. No injury to any passenger,” said Neeraj Sharma, chief PRO, Northern Railway.

The Sonbhadra incident was caused due to fracture in track, divisional railway manager

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