Seemanchal Express: Rail fracture prima facie cause of train accident in Bihar, says Railways

The railways has said that rail fracture is being seen as the primary cause of the derailment of the Seemanchal Express early on Sunday morning. East Central Railway spokesperson Rajesh Kumar said, “Prima facie cause of the accident is rail fracture of CMS X-Ing at Barauni end of station yard. The 12 unaffected coaches are being moved to Hajipur where more coaches are to be attached and the train will move for the Anand Vihar Terminal railway station.”

Eleven coaches of the Jogbani-Anand Vihar Terminal Seemanchal Express derailed at the Sahadai Buzurg area of Bihar's Vaishali district around 3:52 am on Sunday. Three of the 11 coaches had capsized and seven people have lost their lives in the incident. Several people are grievously injured and many are still trapped under the debris even as the rescue operations are in progress. A team of the National Disaster Management Force (NDRF) reached the spot. Initial rescue operations were done by the locals who also alleged that authorities from the Railways only reached almost two hours later.

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.

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. An 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.

These are the HELPLINE numbers:

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

Sonpur: 0615-8221645 

Hajipur 0622-4272230 

Barauni 0627-923222