All passenger trains on this route have been cancelled. Also, Uttar Pradesh trains for Chapra have been diverted via Muzaffarpur (MFP)-Chapra. Railways have ordered an enquiry into the incident. The charge of inquiry has been given to CRS Eastern Circle Latif Khan.
Seemanchal Express derailment: Rescue ops are on
Eleven coaches of 12487 Seemanchal Express derailed early on Sunday morning near Bihar's Hajipur. At least seven people have lost their lives in the incident, the railway officials have confirmed. Eyewitnesses say that several passengers have been injured in the incident. The injured are being transported to...
more... local hospitals.
The Railway Minister's office has said that rescue and relief operations were underway. The ministry has issued helpline numbers - Sonpur 06158221645 Hajipur 06224272230 Barauni 06279232222 to answer the queries of kin of the passengers.
Railways has announced an ex-gratia amount of Rs 5 lakh each to the kin of every deceased. Rs 1 lakh would be given to the grievously injured and Rs 50,000 to those who suffered simple injuries, a post on social media by Ministry of Railways said. All medical expenses will also be born by Railways, it said.
For a short while, a massive crowd of locals had descended on the site of the accident, creating hurdles in the rescue ops. The police and rescue workers on the spot had to issue request to people to go back. "We are very thankful for the support and help provided by the locals in rescue work, but now we request them to kindly go back and allow passengers to be transported safely," a police official on the site had said.
According to sources, Jogbani-Anand Vihar Terminal Seemanchal express derailed after a loud thud noise at around 3.58 am near Sahadai Buzurg. Prima facie cause of the accident is rail fracture of CMS X-Ing at Barauni end of station yard, Rajesh Kumar,CPRO, ECR said. The charge of inquiry has been given to CRS Eastern Circle Latif Khan.
Unaffected 12 coaches are being moved to Hajipur where more coaches to be attached and train will move for Anand Vihar Terminal railway station (ANVT), he said.
#SeemanchalExpress derails near Hajipur in Bihar: AT least 6 people have been killed as 9 bogies of the Delhi-bound train derailed. The rescue ops are on. pic.twitter.com/HU6ajSYiLg
As per information received from Sonpur Division, the train passed Mehnar Road at 3.52 am and derailed at Sahadai Buzurg at around 03:58 am by 9 coaches, an earlier report said. Team of doctors have been rushed to accident site from Sonpur and Barauni, it said. An accident relief train had moved for carrying out relief and rescue operations, official sources told India TV this morning. Two NDRF teams have reached the site of the accident. Evacuation of stranded passenger at site planned by a special train.
The derailed coaches included three sleepers (S8, S9, S10) and one general and one AC (B3), East Central Railway spokesperson Rajesh Kumar told media. The trains on Bihar-Delhi route are notorious for overloading and passengers traveling without due reservation. This fact may cause trouble for Railway authorities in identifying injured, deceased or missing passengers.
Help line numbers
Sonpur 06158221645 Hajipur 06224272230 Barauni 0627923222
Bihar: At least 6 dead as 9 coaches of Delhi-bound Seemanchal Express derail near Hajipur; toll likely to rise
Seemanchal Express derailment: Rescue ops are on
Seemanchal Express derailment: Rescue ops are on
Seemanchal Express derailment: Rescue ops are on
Bihar: At least 7 dead as 9 coaches of 12487 Seemanchal Express derail near Hajipur at 4 am
All passenger trains on this route have been cancelled. Also, Uttar Pradesh trains for Chapra have been diverted via Muzaffarpur (MFP)-Chapra.
Railway Minister Piyush Goyal is reportedly is in touch with Railway Board members and GM ECR regarding developments at accident site. He has directed to effectively undertake relief and rescue operation. He has expressed profound grief over the loss of innocent lives in this tragic accident and wished speedy recovery for the injured.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the incident. "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. Railways, NDRF, and local authorities are providing all possible assistance in the wake of the accident," he said on Twitter.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has also expressed grief over the Seemanchal Express derailment has directed the administration to provide all kind of assistance.
