At least five people were killed and nearly 50 injured when eight coaches of a superfast train, Hazrat Nizamuddin-Ernakulam Mangala Express, derailed on Friday.
The incident happened near Ghoti, between Nashik and Igatpuri railway stations, in Maharashtra at around 6.30 am when the train was en route to Nizamuddin in Delhi from Ernakulam in Kerala, reported CNN IBN.
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Fifteen people have been seriously injured in the accident and 25 were still trapped in the railway coaches, sources told The Times of India.
The cause of the accident is not yet known but rescue operations are reportedly in progress. The wounded have been taken to civil hospitals in nearby areas of Ghoti, Kasara and Nashik.
Railway authorities, who rushed to the spot, fear that the number of casualties could rise due to the severity of the accident.
The accident site, about 35 km from Nashik, is hampering rescue efforts as it is off-route. The rail-traffic between Nashik and capital city Mumbai has also been blocked due to the accident.
As per a PTI report, various trains, including Manmad-Mumbai Panchavati Express and Manmad-Kurla-Godavari Express have been cancelled. Railway officials have halted Sevagram Express and Rajya Rani Express at Lasalgaon.
A similar incident took place in February when four coaches (Guard's brake van, General Second Class coach, S-1 and S-2) of the same Ernakulam-bound 12618 Mangala Express derailed in Raigad district of Maharshtra while entering the railway station. That accident happened 104 km from Mumbai.
Railway officials have installed helpline numbers for inquiries.
Kalyan (02512-311499)
Igatpuri (02553-244020)
