Seemanchal Express: 7 dead as 11 coaches of Delhi-bound train derails in Bihar's Vaishali district

Nine coaches of Jogbani-Anand Vihar Terminal Seemanchal Express derailed at the Sahadai Buzurg area of Bihar's Vaishali district around 3:52 am on Sunday. The Railways has said that seven people have died and several severely injured in the train accident. One general coach, one AC coach B3, three sleeper coaches - S8, S9, S10 and four more coaches have derailed, said East Central Railway spokesperson Rajesh Kumar. 

According to information received from the Sonpur Divison of East Central Railway, the train passed from Mehnar Raod at 3.52 am and derailed at Sahadai Buzurg at 3.58 am. A team of doctors was rushed to the accident site from Sonpur and Barauni. An accident relief train has also been sent out to carry out the rescue and relief operations. 

Compensation:

Of the seven dead, three belong to Bengal and three to Khagaria in Bihar. The state government made all the arrangements for the bodies to be sent to their families after the post-mortem examination. The Railways has announced ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the kin of the dead and Rs 1 lakh for the grievously injured. Those who suffered minor injuries will be given Rs 50,000 and the expense will be borne by the Railways. Bihar government has announced to give Rs 4 lakh each to the kin of every deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured.

Trains cancelled:

All passenger trains on the route have been cancelled following the derailment. Trains coming from Uttar Pradesh trains to Chapra have been diverted via Muzaffarpur.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed grief over the derailment of the Seemanchal Express and directed the administration to provide all kinds of assistance to the rescue workers.

Locals help in rescue operations after the derailment of the Jogbani-Anand Vihar Terminal Seemanchal Express. (Photo: Screengrab)

These are the HELPLINE numbers:

Patna: 0612-2202290, 0612-2202291, 0612-2202292, 0612-2213234.

Sonpur: 0615-8221645 

Hajipur 0622-4272230 

Barauni 0627-923222

The Office of Piyush Goyal, who is the Union Railways Minister tweted about the incident.

Rescue and relief operations are on for derailment of 9 coaches of Jogbani-Anand Vihar Terminal Seemanchal express at Sahadai Buzurg, Bihar.
Help lines:
Sonpur 06158221645
Hajipur 06224272230
Barauni 06279232222

— Piyush Goyal Office (@PiyushGoyalOffc) February 3, 2019

Enquiry:

Enquiry will be done by CRS Eastern circle Shri Latif Khan. All necessary commercial arrangements (food, luggage identification, further journey, etc) are being ensured for the affected passengers. Officers, supervisors and staff have already been deputed by the respective divisions.

Smita Vats Sharma, Additional Director General PR (Rail) said to news agency ANI, "We are focusing on rescue and relief operations right now. Railway Accident Medical Van along with a team of doctors are at the site. Two teams of NDRF have also reached the spot."

The train derailed at Sahadai Buzurg in Bihar's Vaishali district. (Photo: Screengrab)

 

The train was bound for Delhi from Bihar's Kishanganj. (Photo: ANI)

Railway Minister is in touch with Railway Board members and GM ECR. Relief and rescue operations are underway. He has expressed profound grief over the loss of innocent lives in this tragic accident and wished a speedy recovery for the injured, the Office of Piyush Goyal said in a second tweet.