At least 31 people died and 25 were injured when 11071 LTT-Varanasi Kamayani Express and 13201/Rajendra Nagar Patna-Mumbai LTT Janata Express got derailed while they were crossing a bridge on the Machak river almost simultaneously before midnight on Tuesday. The bridge, which is between Khirkiya and Harda station, was apparently damaged following heavy rains leading to the tragedy. Some bogies of both the trains have also fallen into the Machak river which is about 160 kilometers from Madhya Pradesh capital Bhopal.

Officials engaged in the rescue operations said they feared the death toll could rise. Survivors said some persons could have been washed away by the swollen waters of the Machak river.

Railway official says sudden flash flood may have caused accident:

The accident occurred at Kudwa, about 18 km from the district headquarters Harda, located between Bhirangi and Khirakia railway stations. Harda district public relations officer Vitthal Maheshwari said 31 people were killed, including 10 women and five children.

Tax consultant Shashi Bhushan Pandit, another passenger, said: “The water level on the track was almost waist-high. The current was swift…I cannot say how many people are trapped.”

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Though the exact reason for the derailments is not yet known, railway officials said heavy rains in the past few days might have damaged railway tracks.

A 35-member team of the National Disaster Response Force or NDRF has been dispatched with equipment like gas cutters from Bhopal to rescue any people who may still be trapped on the derailed coaches.

Here are the latest developments:

• Six coaches of the Kamayani Express running from Mumbai to Varanasi derailed at around 11:30 pm while crossing a culvert near the Machak river close to Harda, about 160 kilometres from state capital Bhopal.
• Minutes later, an engine and four coaches of the Janata Express, going to Mumbai from Jabalpur, derailed. Among those who have died are 10 women and five children, the Madhya Pradesh government said.
• A railway official said water flooding the tracks entered the derailed coaches. Earlier reports had said that the coaches fell into the river.
• Railway Chairman AK Mittal said a flash flood caved the tracks as the soil shifted. The surge of water had weakened the culvert, which collapsed, he said. Even 10 minutes before the accident, Mr Mittal said, the tracks were intact and many trains had passed safely.
• Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu tweeted, “Enquiry ordered,Ex gratia to be paid immediately.Flooding of tracks due to very heavy downpour.Will make detailed statement to parliament.”
• People who live near the accident site played a big role in rescue efforts in the middle of the night, with rescue teams delayed because heavy rain and flooding had damaged roads.
• A 35-member team of the National Disaster Response Force or NDRF has been dispatched with equipment like gas cutters from Bhopal to rescue any people who may still be trapped on the derailed coaches.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted about the incident:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan tweeted about the accident, offering condolences to families of the victims and providing regular updates on the rescue operations.

The two train accidents in Madhya Pradesh are deeply distressing. Deeply pained over the loss of lives. Condolences to families of deceased.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 5, 2015

We are providing all possible Medical assistance at the site. Medical teams from various cities have been rushed in to assist in R&R ops.

— ShivrajSingh Chouhan (@ChouhanShivraj) August 5, 2015

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A senior official said at about 7.30 am, most of the people trapped in the derailed coaches had been rescued. The unaffected coaches of the two trains were detached and moved to Itarsi. Three special trains took doctors and rescue teams to the accident site.