Fifteen passengers were injured when the Howrah-New Delhi 12303 Poorva Express derailed near Kanpur, in the wee hours of Saturday. The train derailed at 0100 hrs under Maharajpur police station area on Prayagraj-Kanpur grand chord section of North Central railway, 15 km from Kanpur, UP DG (Law and Order) Anand Kumar said here.
Altogether 12 bogies of the super fast train derailed, of which four overturned, he added. Most of the derailed coaches were air-conditioned. The injured have been admitted to the hospital in Kanpur. “Rescue operations began immediately as soon as information was received. Around 15 ambulances reached the spot and have taken the injured to hospitals, ” the DG said.
DM, SSP Commissioner, IG and ADG have reached the spot and are supervising relief and rescue operations. He said a relief train from Prayagraj is on the way to the accident spot. All passengers are being given relief, assistance, help and medical aid. Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) of UP police has rushed to the spot on getting information. Preliminary probe suggested that de-coupling of the pantry coach with the rest of the train, which was running on a high speed could be the reason for the accident. All the coaches in the rear after the pantry coach derailed, of which four overturned.
However, some passengers said that the derailment occurred after a big explosion. The train was running late by over one hour. Health officials here said 15 passengers have been admitted to the trauma centre. Condition of three was stated to be critical. As many as 52 passengers were given first aid.
The passengers of the train started their journey to New Delhi from Kanpur station at around 0900 hours. Both the UP and Down tracks of the section have been blocked after the derailment and several trains were diverted through alternate routes. (UNI)
