Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Twin Trains Derailed, Several Killed

Twin Trains Derailed, Several Killed

Harda (Madhya Pradesh):  Two express trains derailed within minutes of each other on flooded tracks while crossing a railway bridge in Harda district in Madhya Pradesh in the dead of night on Tuesday 4th August 2015 and plunged into the swollen Machak river with the death toll put between 12 and 29.

There were conflicting versions on the number of casualties in the twin derailment at around 1130 pm last night involving the Varanasi-bound Kamayani Express from Mumbai and the Mumbai-bound Janta express that originated from Patna. The accident occurred between Khirkiya and Bhirangi stations on Khandwa-Irasi sections, 160 km from Bhopal.

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu told Parliament that 12 passengers were killed while MP government spokesman Anupam Rajan said at least 29 passengers lost their lives. About 25 passengers were injured in the mishaps.

Over 250 passengers have been rescued, a railway official said.

"The prima facie cause of the incident is stated to be 'flash flood due to heavy rains'," Prabhu told the Rajya Sabha amid the din by slogan-shouting opposition members.

The Railway Ministry has ordered an inquiry into the twin derailment and announced an enhanced ex-gratia of Rs two lakh each to the next of the kin of deceased.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed distress and pain over the loss of lives in the accidents and said authorities are doing everything possible on the ground.

"Twenty nine bodies, including those of 13 men, 11 women and five children, have been recovered so far from the mishap site between Khirkiya and Harda, about 160 km from Bhopal," MP government spokesman Anupam Rajan told .

Making a suo motu statement on the incident in Parliament, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said "track washout" due to a swollen Machak river led to the derailment.

Commissioner Railway Safety (central zone) will conduct an inquiry into the accidents, Railway Spokesperson Anil Saxena said.

everywhere. In no time, the train tilted. And we all got trapped before we were rescued after three hours," a passenger who survived said.

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