Passengers trapped in two coaches of Guwahati-Bikaner Express derailed, rescue work underway
The death toll in the Bikaner-Guwahati train accident in West Bengal’s Jalpaiguri district has risen to six, the Chief Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Northeast Frontier Railway said on Friday.
Six people were killed and 31 passengers were injured when 12 coaches of the Bikaner-Guwahati Express (15633) derailed in West Bengal’s Jalpaiguri district on Thursday.
Meanwhile, some passengers are still trapped inside two coaches of the Bikaner-Guwahati Express, said Inspector General of Police (IGP) North Bengal, DP Singh. Speaking to ANI, Singh said that so far four people have died and more than 40 people have been injured, out of which one is in critical condition.
North Bengal Inspector General of Police said, “Passengers are trapped inside two coaches. Rescue operation is on. We do not have any exact casualty figures. However, four people died, one is in critical condition and around 40 people have died.” People are injured.”
Meanwhile, the relief train with passengers of Guwahati-Bikaner Express train is expected to reach New Bongaigaon railway station at 2:30 pm on Friday, Assam Special DGP (Law and Order) GP Singh said.
“The relief train is expected to reach New Bongaigaon Railway Station at 2.30 am today,” Singh said in a tweet.
He further said that the district police and administration have been advised to make arrangements for lodging, transportation, refreshments etc. for the incoming passengers. The relief train left the accident spot at 9:50 pm on Thursday.
Singh had earlier said, “The relief train has started from the accident site at 9:50 pm and will stop at New Alipurduar for food etc. It will stop at Bongaigaon, Barpeta Road, Rangiya, Kamakhya and Guwahati railway stations.”
The Prime Minister took stock of the situation earlier today as well. He also announced to increase the ex-gratia amount for those killed in the accident.
Indian Railways announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh for the family members of those who lost their lives in the incident that took place near Domohani (West Bengal) this evening. The injured have been taken to Jalpaiguri District Hospital and New Moinagudi District Hospital.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has dispatched two teams to rescue the stranded passengers after several coaches of the Guwahati-Bikaner Express (15633) derailed in Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal today. The accident happened this evening near Domohani in West Bengal.
Briefing media persons about the incident, Guneet Kaur, Chief PRO, North-East Frontier Railway, Guwahati said, “The accident took place between Dumohani and New Maynaguri at around 5 pm. Around 10 coaches were affected. Three people were killed. And 20 were injured.”
“Ex-gratia amount has also been announced for the affected passengers. A high-level inquiry has also been ordered,” he said.
He said that the rescue operation is almost over and the teams have successfully rescued the affected passengers.
(with ANI inputs)
Read also | Guwahati-Bikaner Express derails near Domohani in Bengal; 5 dead
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