7 people are dead after a Delhi-bound derailed in Vaishali District of Bihar which is about 30km away from Patna, reports say that so far 24 people have been injured in the accident. Officials say that 11 coaches of the Seemanchal Express came off the railway tracks near the Sahadai Buzurg Train-Station today on 4 am.
The train was traveling from Jogbani Bihar to Anand Vihar Terminal which is located in Delhi, reports say that the train was traveling at 55kmph when the accident happened. The police say that 3 of the train’s coaches overturned, this was the main reason why the 11 coaches derailed from the railway.
The National Disaster Response Force sent two teams to investigate the accident. An initial investigation revealed that the engine departed and chug forward along with a few coaches and caused the derail to happen. A fracture was also seen in the tracks, the teams are looking into it as it may also be the reason behind the horrific accident.
The accident happened just a couple of days after the government announced that they have increased the safety measures of the railways.
Minister Piyush Goyal while presenting the interim budget told the parliament that: “Indian Railways has experienced the safest year in its history, All Unmanned Level Crossings have been eliminated.”
Here are the helpline numbers of the rescue and relief operations on the derailment of the 11 coaches in Bihar:
Sonpur 06158221645
Hajipur 06224272230
Barauni 06279232222
The Minister of the Railway has announced a compensation of Rupees 5 lakh to those members who got killed, Rupees 1 Lakh to those who attained serious injuries, and Rupees 50,000 to those who attained normal injuries. The medical expenses are also being taken care by the Railway department.
A Survivor said: “I heard a loud bang and fell on the floor of the coach. It was very dark, I couldn’t see anything, felt broken glass everywhere. Recalling the ordeal, he said, I lifted my father on my shoulders and made him crawl out of the broken window”.