Four Killed, Around 100 Injured As North East Express Derails In Bihar
At least four people were killed and over 60 others injured when the Northeast Express train derailed in Bihar on Wednesday night.
According to an official, 21 coaches of the North East Express derailed near Raghunathpur station in Bihar at around 9.35 pm on Wednesday. The train was traveling from Anand Vihar Terminus in Delhi to Kamakhya near Guwahati in Assam.
Central and state’s disaster management authorities are at the spot currently and the injured have been taken to AIIMS Patna.
According to a Railway Police Official, at least 70 passengers have been injured and taken to local hospitals, while those seriously injured have been shifted to AIIMS Patna.
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared his condolences for the loss of lives and said officials have been entrusted to find the root cause of the accident. The evacuation and rescue operations have been completed with thorough examination of the coaches.
The 21 coaches of 12506 North East Express en route to Kamakhya derailed near Buxar. The train left the Anand Vihar terminal in Delhi at 7:40 am. Trains that run on this route, including Rajadhani Express, have been redirected.
However, local residents have testified that the train was moving at a normal speed but suddenly a loud noise was generated with massive smoke. The train was derailed, and AC coaches were damaged.
Local people and police officials were on the ground and led the primary rescue operations. Chief Public Relations Officer of East Central Railway zone Birendra Kumar said relief measures were launched immediately after the incident with ambulances and health professionals deployed. Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav issued a statement immediately after the accident urging the departments of disaster management and health to take immediate steps to ensure the quickest possible relief for as many people as possible.
The railways issued emergency helpline numbers for passengers – 9771449971 (Patna), 8905697493 (Danapur), 8306182542 (Ara), 8306182542, and 7759070004.
