Over 50 injured as 15 coaches of Sealdah-Ajmer express derails near Kanpur

Over 50 passengers were on Wednesday injured when 15 coaches of the Ajmer-Sealdah Express derailed near Rura Railway Station in Kanpur Rural district, the second rail accident in the region in two months.

While soon after the mishap that took place at 5:30 am, IG (Kanpur range) Zaki Ahmed said two of the seriously injured passengers had died, General Manager, North Central Railway Arun Saxena said the railway medical team at the spot has no information of any death.

The accident took place near Rura Railway Station, 70 km from here, when the train was crossing a bridge over a dry canal in the area, North Central Railways PRO Amit Malviya said.

Rescue operations are over with all passengers pulled out of the derailed coaches, Malviya said, adding the cause of the accident was not immediately known.

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said he was personally monitoring the situation and all assistance is being provided to those injured.

Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has announced financial assistance of Rs 50,000 to those seriously injured in the mishap and Rs 25,000 to those who suffered minor wounds.

The Railways have issued the helpline numbers for Kanpur -- 0512-2323015, 2323016, 2323018 and for Allahabad -- 0532-2408149, 2408128.