At least 44 people were injured after 15 coaches of the Train no. 12988 Sealdah-Ajmer Express derailed between the Rura and Metha railway stations in Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur city around 5:20 am on Wednesday. No casualties have been reported yet.
Rescue teams are currently at the spot providing the necessary assistance to the passengers. Around 24 people have been rushed to hospitals in Kanpur and Tundla. An NDRF team has also reached the spot to assist in the rescue operation. More than two dozen ambulances have been pressed to service, according to local media reports.
"Sealdah-Ajmer express derailed when it was crossing a bridge over a dry canal in the area," Northern Central Railways PRO Amit Malviya said in a statement.
Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said that ex-gratia would be given to the injured and that they are being administered medical aid. Prabhu said that a thorough investigation would be carried out to ascertain the cause of the accident. He has also announced a compensation of Rs 50,000 for critically injured passengers and Rs 25,000 for those who suffered minor injuries.
The cause of the accident is not known yet but low visibility due to fog could be a reason.
Buses have been pressed into service to take stranded passengers to the Kanpur Central Railway Station, from where they can travel to their respective destinations, the Times of India reported.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has announced a compensation of Rs 50,000 for critically injured passengers and Rs 25,000 for those who suffered minor injuries.
List of trains diverted:
List of trains diverted following derailment of #SaeldahAjmer Express between Rura-Metha near Kanpur (UP). No casualties yet, 24 injured. pic.twitter.com/uBnzrU2OMq
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 28, 2016
This accident comes a month after the Indore-Patna Express train accident that claimed the lives of around 145 people and injured over 200 in the Dehat district of Uttar Pradesh on November 20.
#WATCH Visuals of #SaeldahAjmer Exp train which derailed between Rura-Metha near Kanpur. 2 dead, 28 injured. Rescue and relief ops underway pic.twitter.com/gmhCJJCO7D — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 28, 2016
#WATCH 14 coaches of Train no 12988 #AjmerSaeldah express derail near Roora (Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh). Several injured. pic.twitter.com/s3VRDUavlu
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 28, 2016
Helpline Numbers: Kanpur: 0512-2323015, 2323016, 2323018
Allahabad: 0532-2408149, 2408128, 2407353
Tundla: 05612-220337, 220338, 220339
Aligarh: 0571-2404056, 2404055
Railways helpline numbers: 09935024350 and 0979485953
2.02 pm IST: Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu has also announced a compensation of Rs 50,000 for critically injured passengers and Rs 25,000 for those who suffered minor injuries.
1.36 pm IST: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has announced a compensation of Rs 50,000 for critically injured passengers and Rs 25,000 for those who suffered minor injuries.
11.09 am IST:
#SealdahAjmer Express derailment: Ministry of Railways clarifies that there has been no death reported yet; No of people injured: 44.
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 28, 2016
10.48 am IST:
Ppl who opted for additional insurance cover through e-ticketing,that is also available to them-A Saxena #SealdahAjmer Exp train derailment pic.twitter.com/YRldcOb3X8
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 28, 2016
10.35 am IST:
Financial assistance under rules being made available to victims of #SealdahAjmer Express train derailment: Anil Saxena,Indian Railways Spox pic.twitter.com/lDQ6nLIb8Z
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 28, 2016
10.32 am IST:
#SealdahAjmer Express train derailment: NDRF team reaches the accident spot near Kanpur; 2 dead, 43 injured. Rescue operations underway pic.twitter.com/72tYmzOzM8 — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 28, 2016
9.57 am IST:
Number of injured increases to 43 in #SealdahAjmer Express train derailment accident: Kumar Ravikant, DM, Kanpur Dehat
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 28, 2016
9.31 am IST: Helpline numbers issued by the Ministry of Railways: #SealdahAjmer Express train derailment: Ministry of Railways issue helpline numbers for further assistance. pic.twitter.com/t8pA6oMaJa — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 28, 2016 9.29 am IST: "Passengers are being rescued. Alternate arrangements are being made for those who want to continue with their journey," District Magistrate of Kanpur Dehat Kumar Ravikant Singh told ANI. 9.27 am IST: Visuals from the spot where #SealdahAjmer Express train derailed near Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh); 2 dead, 28 injured. Rescue operations underway pic.twitter.com/yE1OUZCcZa — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 28, 2016
Visuals from the spot where #SealdahAjmer Express train derailed near Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh); 2 dead, 28 injured. Rescue operations underway pic.twitter.com/PkC9qc1S8V — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 28, 2016
8.38 am IST:
Visuals of #SaeldahAjmer Express train which derailed between Rura-Metha near Kanpur. 2 dead, 28 injured. Rescue and relief ops underway pic.twitter.com/T4O3je12xI
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 28, 2016
8.15 am IST:
#SpotVisuals 15 coaches of Sealdah-Ajmer Express derailed between Rura-Metha near Kanpur. Rescue and relief ops underway pic.twitter.com/INlqV9MUXD
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 28, 2016
#SpotVisuals 15 coaches of Sealdah-Ajmer Express derailed between Rura-Metha near Kanpur. Rescue and relief ops underway pic.twitter.com/aFjIFn2sIu — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 28, 2016
8.05 am IST:
We r making alternate arrangements for Passengers to continue with their onward journey and are thus taken care of Helplines to offer info
— Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) December 28, 2016
8.03 am IST:
Injured already started getting medical care,Doctors r attending to all. We r working with hospitals& dist admin to offer all possible help
— Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) December 28, 2016
8.01 am IST:
Directed CRB, all Sr officials to personally ensure best possible help. Medical vans,relief vans were rushed immediately.Officers r on spot — Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) December 28, 2016
7.56 am IST:
Ex gratia will be paid to injured . All passengers are being provided with necessary assistance to ensure least inconvenience.Doing our best
— Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) December 28, 2016
7.54 am IST: "No indication of casualties as of now. Ambulances and medical relief team has reached the spot. There could be some minor injuries because of the derailment which is being attended. Rescue and relief operations underway. As per preliminary reports, 15 coaches of the train got derailed. The first fice and the last three coaches were intact," Anil Saxena, Indian Railways Spox, told ANI.
7.45 am IST: Prabhu, in a series of tweets, said:
"(I am) personally monitoring the situation in wake of the unfortunate derailment of the Sealdah-Ajmer Express near Kanpur. (I) have directed senior officials to reach the site immediately. Immediate medical help is being provided to the injured. (I have) mobilized resources (and) directed all concerned to ensure rescue and relief."
7.23 am IST:
#SpotVisuals Several injured after 14 coaches of #AjmerSaeldah exp derail near Roora (Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh); rescue team rushed to the spot pic.twitter.com/ixkUQAXLnW
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 28, 2016
7.15 am IST:
#FirstVisuals 14 coaches of Train no 12988 Ajmer-Saeldah express derail near Roora (Kanpur). Several injured. Rescue team rushed to the spot pic.twitter.com/OypWqmkmtt — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 28, 2016
7.12 am IST:
#FirstVisuals 14 coaches of Train no 12988 Ajmer-Saeldah express derail near Kanpur. Several injured. Rescue team rushed to the spot. pic.twitter.com/2XW1OKiYzQ
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 28, 2016
5.20 am IST: Train no. 12987 Sealdah-Ajmer Express derails between Rura and Metha railway stations near Kanpur.
