Puri-Haridwar Kalinga Utkal Express derails in UP; at least 23 killed
Bhubaneswar: In a tragic incident, at least 23 people have reportedly died and more than 400 were injured as Puri- Haridwar Kalinga Utkal Express derailed near Khatauli town in Muzaffarnagar district in Uttar Pradesh today.
According to reports, 14 bogies were derailed near Khatauli station, barely 100 kilometers from the national capital, New Delhi. Several passengers were feared to be dead. However, there was no official confirmation from the Railways.
“Twenty three people have died, and 400 are injured,” the Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police office said in a release.
The incident took place at around 5.50 pm while the train was on its way to Haridwar. Several injured passengers have been rushed to a nearby hospital.
It is feared that some passengers might have been trapped under the bogies.
Rescue operation is underway. A team of Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) of Uttar Pradesh has been sent to the accident site to ascertain if there is a terror link to the derailment.
The train with number of 18477 had left Puri on Thursday night and was scheduled to reach Haridwar at 9 pm tonight, sources in the East Coast Railway (ECoR) said.
Meanwhile, Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu said he is personally monitoring the situation and has directed top officials to overseas the relief and rescue operations.
Medical vans have been rushed to the site.All efforts being taken to ensure speedy relief and rescue operations
— Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) August 19, 2017
The Railways Minister also stated that medical vans have been rushed to the site to aid in the rescue operations and evacuate the injured passengers.
Medical vans have been rushed to the site.All efforts being taken to ensure speedy relief and rescue operations
— Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) August 19, 2017
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have also been mobilised for rescue operations at Khatauli railway station in Muzaffarnagar, sources said.
Calling it a sad incident, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath assured that the injured passengers will be given best treatment. He added that directions have been issued for all possible assistance.
#UPCM श्री #YogiAdityanath ने मुज़फ्फरनगर में हुई रेल दुर्घटना पर दुःख व्यक्त करते हुए हर संभव सहायता के निर्देश दिए हैं।
— CM Office, GoUP (@CMOfficeUP) August 19, 2017
The Meerut district hospital and LLRM Medical College have opened the following helpline numbers following the accident: 94544 55183, 9410609434, and 0121-2604977.
Union Minister Suresh Prabhu said an enquiry has been ordered into the Utkal train accident.
Have ordered inquiry into the unfortunate accident to ascertain the cause. Strict action will be taken against any lapse
— Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) August 19, 2017
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen expressed concern over the tragic incident and directed the commerce and transport department to work in coordination with the Railways for smooth rescue operation.
Deeply anguished by the loss of lives in Kalinga #Utkal Express in UP. My thoughts and prayers with victims’ families and the injured 1/2
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) August 19, 2017
The East Coast Railways has set up phone helplines for relatives of passengers on the train. The numbers are: 1072, 0674-2490670, 0674-2534027, 0671-2200568 (Cuttack), 06726-220599 (Jajpur-Keonjhar Road) and 0131-2645238 (Muzaffarnagar).
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that rescue operation has been taken up on a war footing with railways and the state government working together.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress President Sonia Gandhi and party Vice President Rahul Gandhi have condoled the deaths and expressed sympathies for the families of those who lost their lives.
(With IANS Inputs)
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