The engine and six bogies were badly damaged after the train rammed into a signal cabin, senior Police and Railway officials said at the accident site
At least 16 people were killed and over 60 injured on Monday when Gwalior-bound Bundelkhand Express from Varanasi derailed after a brake failure.
The engine and six bogies were badly damaged after the train rammed into a signal cabin, senior Police and Railway officials said at the accident site. They added that the toll is likely to increase as some people are trapped in the mangled bogies.
The driver of the train, who was among the dead, is believed to have informed the authorities at Datia Railway Station about failure of brakes, officials said adding that the exact cause of the accident would, however, be known only after an inquiry.
Relief van and helpline services have been dispatched from Jhansi division; they said adding the injured have been rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. Local residents have also joined in the rescue and relief operations.
Railway Minister Lalu Prasad, who is in Patna, announced an ex-gratia of Rs five lakh to the next of kin of those killed. He also said jobs would be given to one dependent of each of the deceased.
"Only a detailed inquiry by the Commissioner of Railway Safety will ascertain the reason behind the tragedy," he said.
However, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Babulal Gaur alleged that the accident occurred as the driver was sleepy.
He announced Rs 10,000 each for the families of those killed in the accident and Rs 2,500 each for the injured.
Lalu said he had been informed by officials that the train was traveling at a speed of 90 km per hour, much in excess of the 15 km per hour prescribed limit, on the loop line when the mishap took place.
Other recent accidents
June 16, 2004: Matsyagandha Express derails while crossing a bridge in Maharashtra
June 27, 2004: Bogies of Gorakhpur-Muzzafarpur Express jump track
December 14, 2004: Head on collision between Jammu-Tawi-Ahmedabad express and Jalandhar-Pathankot Express
February 3, 2005: Passenger train in Nagpur meets with an accident
April 21, 2005: Sabarmati Express rammed into a goods train
June 20, 2005: Purushottam express collided with a stationary train
July 28, 2005: Bomb explosion on Shramjeevi Express
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