Bihar train mishap: 4 dead, 70 injured; Railways to give 10 lakh ex gratia to kin

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Oct 12, 2023: The Delhi-Kamakhya North East Express train derailment in Bihar’s Buxar claimed the lives of at least four passengers late on Wednesday evening. According to a Railway Police Force official, 70 others were reported injured after six coaches of the train derailed near the Raghunathpur station. On Thursday, the Railways announced Rs 10 lakh ex-gratia to the next of kin of those killed in the train derailment. Rs 50,000 would also be provided to those injured, it said.

 

Visuals showed at least two AC III Tier coaches had toppled over while four other coaches jumped the tracks as the train derailed.

As the accident happened, locals rushed to rescue the passengers and helped them move out of the derailed coaches. Several police officials and ambulances also reached the spot upon receiving information about the accident.

Visuals on Thursday morning showed efforts were underway to remove the derailed train from the tracks.

Taking to X, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw expressed condolences for the loss of lives and said evacuation and rescue operations were completed and all coaches had been checked. The minister also said the root cause of the derailment would be investigated.

BIHAR TRAIN DERAILMENT - DEVELOPMENTS SO FAR

1. The derailment happened after the 23-coach 12506 North East Express had departed the Anand Vihar terminal in Delhi at 7.40 am on Wednesday for its nearly 33-hour journey to Kamakhya, about six kilometers away from Guwahati. Chief Public Relations Officer of East Central Railway zone Birendra Kumar told news agency PTI that the accident took place at nearly 9.53 pm, less than half an hour after the train left the Buxar station and was headed for Ara.

2. Several trains were cancelled or rescheduled following the derailment incident. Officials said electric wires, poles and rail tracks were damaged due to the accident. Meanwhile, alternative arrangements were made to ferry passengers of the derailed train to their respective destinations.

Here’s a list of trains cancelled or rescheduled due to the train derailment at Raghunathpur in Buxar.

3. Soon after the accident, the railways issued emergency helpline numbers for passengers.

Bihar

Patna Junction railway station - 9771449971
Danapur Railway Station - 8905697493
Ara Junction - 8306182542
Commercial - North Central Railway - 7759070004

Prayagraj
0532-2408128
0532-2407353
0532-2408149

Fatehpur
05180-222026
05180-222025
05180-222436

Kanpur
0512-2323016
0512-2323018
0512-2323015

Etawah
7525001249

Tundla
05612-220338
05612-220339
05612-220337

Aligarh
0571-2409348

4. War rooms were established for monitoring and early restoration of the coaches, a railway official told PTI.

Taking to X, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma extended his condolences to the affected families. He also confirmed a relief train to bring back stranded passengers of the derailed train had already departed.

Following the incident, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav also issued a statement saying that the departments of disaster management and health have been asked to take immediate steps to ensure the quickest possible relief to as many people as possible. Yadav also said he had spoken to the district magistrates of Buxar and Bhojpur.

5. Commenting on the reason behind the train derailment incident, Tarun Prakash, AGM (East Central Railway) told PTI that investigations were underway and that the information behind the cause of the accident will be shared soon.

Rajiv Chandra Singh (SDPO, Jagdishpur) said only the technical team could give the details of the cause of the accident.

Courtesy: India Today