Madhya Pradesh twin train tragedy shocks all!

Twin train tragedy

At least 24 passengers, including 10 women and five children, were killed and 25 others injured when 12 coaches of two trains from Mumbai derailed in Harda in Madhya Pradesh and plunged into a swollen Machak river.

Twin train tragedy

“Twenty four bodies, including nine men, 10 women and five children, have been recovered so far from the mishap site between Khirkiya and Harda, about 160 km from Bhopal,” Madhya Pradesh government spokesman Anupam Rajan told.

Twin train tragedy

The toll could further go up, he said. Over 250 passengers have been rescued, a Railway official said.

Twin train tragedy

Search and rescue operations have been intensified, Divisional Commercial Railway Manager (DCRM) Brajendra Kumar said.

Twin train tragedy

“Seven bogies of Kamayani Express and engine plus three coaches of Janata Express were derailed between Khirkiya and Bhirangi stations near Harda,” Mathur said.

Twin train tragedy

Seven coaches of Kamayani Express, running from Mumbai to Varanasi, and three bogies plus the engine of the Mumbai-Jabalpur Janata Express derailed at 11 pm last night, West Central Railway PRO Piyush Mathur said.

Twin train tragedy

The accident relief train has reached the spot and several passengers have been brought to the nearby Harda station.

Twin train tragedy

Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu said all efforts are underway to rescue the passengers and top officials have been rushed to the site.

Twin train tragedy

Railway Ministry has ordered an inquiry into the twin derailments and announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakhs to the next of the kin of the deceased, Rs 50,000 to grievously injured and 25,000 to those who sustained minor injuries.

Twin train tragedy

After the twin train derailment near Harda in Madhya Pradesh that has so far claimed 24 lives, Central Railway (CR) has set up four helpline numbers to provide relief to passengers.

Twin train tragedy

The Helpline numbers are - at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus 022-22694040, LTT 022-25280005, Thane 022-25334840 and 0251-2311499 at Kalyan.

Twin train tragedy

The Kamayani express that originated from Mumbai and headed towards Varanasi was carrying passengers with full capacity of about 900, officials said. CR authorities, are, however, assessing the chart to verify it.

Twin train tragedy

According to a CR statement, Kolhapur-Hazrat Nizamuddin Express has been diverted via Bhusaval-Surat, Jhelum express, Punjab Mail, Kushinagar express, Amritsar Express via Jalgaon and Bhopal, Mangala Express via Bhusaval-Surat-Bairahgarh-Nishatpura.

Twin train tragedy

CST-Howrah Mail has been diverted via Allahabad, Rajendranagar express (Up & Down, Mahanagari express, 11078 Jhelum Express, Gorakhpur-CST Express have also been diverted.

Twin train tragedy

A senior CR official said the incident could lead to cancellation and short termination of the trains, which were being worked out. At least 40 trains could be affected.

Twin train tragedy

At least 24 persons were killed and 25 others injured after the seven coaches of Kamayani Express and five bogies of Janata Express derailed while crossing a swollen Machak river near Harda late last night.

Twin train tragedy

Railway Ministry Suresh Prabhu has ordered an inquiry into the twin derailment cases and announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the next of the kin of the deceased, Rs 50,000 to grievously injured and 25,000 to those who sustained minor injuries.