In one of the worst train tragedies in Uttar Pradesh, 25 people were killed and over 200 injured when the engine and 12 bogies of the (12311) Howrah-Kalka Mail derailed at the Malwan station on the Howrah-Delhi Grand Chord in Fatehpur district on Sunday.
The cause of the accident, which took place near the eastern cabin of the station at 12.20 p.m., was being ascertained by the authorities. Initial reports said the accident occurred when the driver applied the emergency brakes. The driver is among those critically injured.
The toll is likely to go up as a number of passengers are still trapped in the derailed bogies.
Several critically injured passengers were being treated in the Fatehpur district hospital and nursing homes.
Around three dozen injured have been shifted to hospitals in Kanpur and Allahabad.
Rescue efforts
Relief and rescue operations are on in full swing with two Army helicopters and jawans being pressed into service, according to official sources.
Villagers, who first rushed to the spot, launched relief and rescue operations. It was only after about an hour the first relief and rescue team and a team of doctors from Kanpur division reached the spot.
Twelve bogies virtually flew off the track following the derailment. The Delhi-bound train was reportedly running at a speed of around 110 km an hour. The Kalka Mail does not have a stop at Malwan.
Three AC compartments, five sleeper coaches and a pantry car were among the derailed coaches. Two general bogies and the SLR coach also derailed.
Reports quoting Fatehpur Chief Medical Officer N. Joshi said the death toll could go up as the condition of several injured was critical.
Trains diverted
Following the mishap, traffic on the Delhi-Kanpur-Mughalsarai-Howrah route came to a grinding halt. However, several trains plying on the Kanpur-Mughalsarai section have been diverted from Kanpur.
They will pass through Lucknow before reaching Mughalsarai. These trains are the Licchhvi Express, the Howrah Rajdhani Express, the Patna Rajdhani Express, the Vikramshila Express, the Mahabodhi Express, the Toofan Express and the Wardha Express.
Some trains running on the Kanpur-Allahabad section have been cancelled until normal traffic is restored.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has announced a compensation of Rs.1 lakh for the next of the kin of the deceased, Rs.50,000 for the critically injured and Rs.25,000 for those who suffered minor injuries.
