Bengal rail accident: Death toll rises to eight

Four passengers have died and two others are injured following the derailment of several coaches of the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express train in Uttar Pradesh's Gonda district on Thursday.
Reports said that the incident occurred in Pikaura, situated between the Gonda and Jhilahi areas of of Uttar Pradesh. Rescue teams have been dispatched to the site for relief operations, and visuals show passengers with their luggage standing beside the tracks. The train, numbered 15904, was traveling to Dibrugarh in Assam from Chandigarh.

Quoting Pankaj Singh, CPRO North Eastern Railways, a news agency reported that a 40-member medical team along with 15 ambulances are at the scene, with more ambulances en route.
Reports said that out of the 12 coaches, four AC compartments derailed a few kilometers before the Jhilahi railway station. This incident has affected several trains on the route, with some being diverted.

The routes of the Katihar-Amritsar Express and the Guwahati-Shrimata Vaishnodevi Katra Express have been altered as a result.

Senior railway and local administration officials are on-site to oversee rescue operations. The accident occurred around 2:35 pm, according to railway officials. The relief commissioner's office has activated helpline numbers for assistance: Gonda: 8957400965 and Lucknow: 8957409292.

Indian Railways has initiated relief operations, and medical vans have arrived at the accident site. The Railway Board has issued additional helpline numbers for further assistance:

Commercial Control: 9957555984
 Furkating (FKG): 9957555966
 Mariani (MXN): 6001882410
 Simalguri (SLGR): 8789543798
 Tinsukia (NTSK): 9957555959
 Dibrugarh (DBRG): 9957555960
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has taken cognizance of the incident and directed the local administration to provide assistance to the affected passengers. He has also instructed officials to ensure proper medical treatment for the injured passengers.

Also Read