5 killed, 9 hurt in train mishap

Five passengers were killed and nine injured, when New Delhi bound Brahmaputra mail derailed at Karanpurato station, in Malda division, at about 5.50 am. The eastern railway has suspended six divisional staff, on account of alleged negligence leading to the accident.

The incident happened when a stationary goods train rolled back and hit the Brahmaputra express, when it was passing the Kuranpurato station. According to the eastern railway division, the driver, assistant driver and guard of the goods train, were suspended alongwith the station master and porter at the Karanpurato station.

According to the division, the goods train was on main line at the station, from midnight, due to some problem in its engine. Suddenly, it rolled down and dashed the sleeper class coach of the Brahmaputra mail, which was passing the site.

Railway minister, Dinesh Trivedi, has announced ex-gratia payment of Rs5 lakh to the nearest kins of each dead person, Rs50,000 each to the grievously injured and Rs10,000 to persons with minor injuries.

The Accident Relief Train, from Sahibganj, reached the site at 7.10 a.m. The rear nine coaches of the mail left the accident site, with the passengers, at 8.20 am, The front portion of the train with 13 coaches left at 9.55 a.m.