Accident relief train has also been moved for carrying out relief and rescue operations.
At least seven passengers died and 29 others were injured early Sunday when a rail fracture caused 11 bogies of the Delhi-bound Seemanchal Express to jump the tracks in Bihar's Vaishali district, railway and police officials said.
The 12487 Jogbani-Anand Vihar Seemanchal Express originated from Jogbani in Kishanganj district and the accident took place around 4 am. Prima facie, the derailment was caused by a rail fracture, they said.
Chief Public Relations Officer, East Central Zone, Rajesh Kumar, said the accident took place at Sahadai Buzurg, close to Mahanar Road in the Sonepur division.
One general coach, one AC coach B3, three sleeper coaches - S8, S9, S10 and six more coaches have derailed, he said.
Principal Secretary, Disaster Management Department, Pratyay Amrit said seven people have died in the accident.
Six of the deceased have been identified as Ilcha Devi (66), Indira Devi (60), Shamsuddin Alam (26), Ansar Alam (19), Shaida Khatoon (40), Sudarshan Das (60), the Government Railway Police (GRP) said.
Of the 29 people injured in the accident, two have suffered grievous injuries, while 27 have received "simple injuries", the GRP said.
The injured were rushed to a hospital here, where the doctors referred the seriously wounded to Muzaffarpur and Patna.
The office of Railway Minister Piyush Goyal has announced Rs 5 lakh ex gratia each to kin of those killed, Rs 1 lakh each to the grievously injured people and Rs 50,000 each to those who received simple injuries.
"Rescue operations are in full swing and an accident relief train has been sent to the site of the mishap. A team of the NDRF has also reached the spot," Kumar said.
Commissioner Railway Safety (Eastern Zone), Latif Khan, will conduct an inquiry into the accident, he said.
Adequate number of doctors are available on the spot. Ambulances have been pressed into service. Teams of doctors have also rushed from Sonepur and Barauni to the accident site, Kumar said.
Local residents were aiding rescue teams in carrying out operations.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who expressed deep condolences over the deaths, said, "The district magistrate and the superintendent of police have rushed to the spot and are overseeing the relief work in coordination with the Railways."
The 12 unaffected bogies are being moved to Hajipur where more coaches will be attached to the train and thereafter, it will leave for the onward journey, the officials said.
The Railways have issued helpline numbers - Sonpur 06158221645, Hajipur 06224272230 and Barauni 06279232222.
1. Helpline numbers
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TRAIN ACCIDENT -- Help line of Samastipur
No(1)-. 06274-224061
No- (2)- 06274-232131
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Help line no at Patna
06122202290
06122202291
06122202292
06122213234
Rly no 025-83288
For derailment of 12487
2. Enquiry ordered
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TRAIN ACCIDENT UPDATE -- Enquiry to be done by CRS Eastern circle Shri Latif Khan
All necessary commercial arrangements (Food, luggage identification, further journey etc) at BJU, DNR, PNBE, HJP being ensured for the affected passengers. Officers, supervisors and staff have already been deputed by respective Divisions
3. Nitish Kumar expresses grief
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Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has expressed grief over the SeemanchalExpress derailment incident and has directed the administration to provide all kind of assistance.
4. All trains on route cancelled
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All passenger trains on this route have been cancelled following #SeemanchalExpress derailment in Bihar's Sahadai Buzurg, earlier this morning. Also, Uttar Pradesh trains for Chapra have been diverted via Muzaffarpur (MFP)-Chapra.
5. Piyush Goyal
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Railway Minister Piyush Goyal stated that rescue and relief operations have begun after nine bogies of the Jogbani-Anand Vihar Terminal Seemanchal Express were derailed here in the early hours of Sunday.
"Rescue and relief operations are on for derailment of 9 coaches of Jogbani-Anand Vihar Terminal Seemanchal express at Sahadai Buzurg, Bihar. Helplines: Sonpur 06158221645, Hajipur 06224272230 and Barauni 06279232222," read a tweet from Piyush Goyal Office.
Several people are reportedly injured in the accident.
As per information received from Sonpur Division, the train passed Mehnar Road at 3.52 am and derailed near Sahadai Buzurg at around 3:58 am.
Five coaches including three sleeper (S8, S9, S10), one general and one AC (B3) were among the derailed bogies.
A team of doctors have been rushed to the accident site from nearby areas of Sonpur and Barauni.
Accident relief train and NDRF team have also been moved for carrying out relief and rescue operations.
Further details into the incident are awaited.
6. Narendra Modi
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Deeply anguished by loss of lives due to the derailment of coaches of #SeemanchalExpress. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover quickly.Railways, NDRF&local authorities are providing all possible assistance in wake of the accident
7. Amit Shah
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Pained to learn about the loss of lives due to the tragic derailment of the Seemanchal Express in Bihar’s Sahdei Buzurg area. My deepest condolences with the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured.
8. Rs 5 lakh compensation
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The Ministry of Railways announced ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to the kin of the seven individuals who lost their lives after Seemanchal Express derailed in Bihar on Sunday.
The Ministry also announced Rs 1 lakh for those who were grievously injured and Rs 50,000 for those who suffered minor injuries.
9. 11 coaches affected
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Total 11 coaches are affected due to the derailment with three of them having been capsized. Seven people have lost their lives, two sustained grievous injuries and 27 suffered minor injuries.
Union Minister of Railways Piyush Goyal is in touch with Railway Board members and General Manager of East Central Railway (ECR) and expressed profound grief over the loss of innocent lives in the accident.
The Railways informed that prima facie cause of the accident is a fracture in the rail track.
“Prima facie cause of Seemanchal Express accident is rail fracture of CMS X-Ing at Barauni end of station yard,” said Rajesh Kumar, CPRO, East Central Railways (ECR).
“Unaffected 12 coaches are being moved to Hajipur where more coaches will be attached and the train will move towards Anand Vihar Terminal railway station (ANVT),” he added.
Meanwhile, Congress president Rahul Gandhi took to twitter requesting his party workers to lend all possible support to the families of those affected by the accident.
10. Rahul expresses condolences
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“I am deeply saddened by the Rail accident in Bihar. I express my profound grief towards families of those affected. I request Congress workers to lend every possible support to their families,” tweeted Rahul Gandhi.
The Railways also informed that the front portion of the train comprising 12 coaches with 1,500 passengers departed for Danapur, where additional coaches will be attached to the train to accommodate the remaining passengers.
All the passengers were served tea, food packets and packed drinking water. Each coach is being manned by commercial and RPF staff. Arrangements for refunds to the passengers who do not want to continue their journey have been ensured at different stations, the Ministry added.
