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Several dead as Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express derails in UP, loco pilot says loud explosion heard

by TRANS WORLD FEATURES | @twfindia 18 Jul 2024, 12:49 pm

Gonda (UP)/IBNS: Several passengers are feared dead and 35 injured as eight coaches of the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express derailed near Gonda in Uttar Pradesh on Thursday, media reports said.

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak told PTI that four passengers had died.

Meanwhile, Times Now has put the death toll at 10.

The derailment occurred in Pikaura, located between Gonda and Jhilahi in Uttar Pradesh.

As news of the derailment came in, ambulances and medical teams were rushed to the spot between Motiganj and Jhilahi railway stations, about 150 km from the state capital

The train departed from Chandigarh station at 11:35 PM on Wednesday and was headed for Dibrugarh in Assam.

Visuals show passengers standing on the sides of the track with their luggage following the train derailment.

The loco pilot of the train claimed that he heard a loud explosion just before the collision. The Central Government has ordered a high-level probe into the incident.

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Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed his sorrow over the accident. He directed officials to promptly reach the site and expedite the relief efforts.

"Taking cognizance of the train accident in Gonda district has directed the district administration officials to reach the spot and speed up the relief work," the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister's Office said.

The government has announced an ex gratia of Rs. 10 lakhs to the family of the deceased, Rs. 2.5 lakhs for grievous injuries and Rs. 50,000 for those who suffered minor injuries.

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Meanwhile,  Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has been briefed about the accident and authorities are monitoring the situation.

The railway medical has reached the site and the North Eastern Railways has issued helpline numbers:

- Commercial Control: 9957555984
- Furkating (FKG): 9957555966
- Mariani (MXN): 6001882410
- Simalguri (SLGR): 8789543798
- Tinsukia (NTSK): 9957555959
- Dibrugarh (DBRG): 9957555960

A helpline number has been issued for the assistance of railway passengers as a result of the derailment of 15904 Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express on the down line between Motiganj-Jhilahi stations on the Barabanki-Gorakhpur railway section of Northeast Railway:

Lucknow - 8957409292
Gonda - 8957400965