Bihar: Seven dead as 11 coaches of Seemanchal Express derail
In an unfortunate incident, seven people died on Sunday after 11 coaches of the Delhi-bound Seemanchal Express (12487) derailed in Bihar. The accident took place at 3:58am in Sahadai Buzurg. The derailed coaches include one general coach, one AC coach B3, three sleeper coaches (S8, S9, S10) and others. Rescue operations are underway, and the death toll is expected to climb. Here's more.
In the aftermath of the accident, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal announced ex-gratia of Rs. 5 lakh for the kin of the deceased, Rs. 1 lakh for those grievously injured, and Rs. 50,000 for those who suffered simple injuries.
#Seemanchal Express derailment: Indian Railways has issued helpline numbers at Patna-06122202290, 06122202291, 06122202292, 06122213234. pic.twitter.com/3RVYLW6VsS
— ANI (@ANI) February 3, 2019
Soon after the accident, a relief train was dispatched to evacuate stranded passengers, and help with relief and rescue efforts. As per latest reports, the train, which has all necessary arrangements like food, blankets, etc., has reached Danapur station, where additional coaches will be added to transport stranded passengers to Delhi. Meanwhile, all passenger trains on the route have been cancelled.
As it stands, two National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams are carrying out rescue efforts, aided by two teams of doctors and an accident medical van. Meanwhile, an inquiry has been ordered into the accident and will be conducted by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) Eastern Circle Latif Khan. It's believed that the derailment took place owing to a rail fracture.
We express profound grief over the loss of innocent lives in tragic derailment of 12487 Jogbani-AnandVihar Terminal Seemanchal Exp at Sahadaibuzurg in Bihar. Rescue and relief operations are at full swing. Our GM DRM, NDRF teams, officials of local administration are at site
— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) February 3, 2019
