KOLKATA, Jan 13: Five passengers were killed when the Bikaner-Guwahati Express
derailed in Jalpaiguri in Bengal at 5 pm on Thursday. The Guwahati-bound train
derailed between New Domohani and New Mainaguri stations. Fifteen passengers
in critical condition have been admitted to the hospital in Mainaguri.
Twelve compartments were damaged. One compartment is seen toppled over another.
Cranes were being used to remove the compartments in order to look for passengers
trapped inside and beneath them. Fifty ambulances were deployed to move the
injured to hospitals.
Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she is "deeply concerned to hear
about the tragic accident of the Bikaner-Guwahati Express in Maynaguri. Senior
officers of the State Government, DM/SP/IG North Bengal are supervising rescue
and relief operations. Those injured will receive medical attention, as early
as possible."
A relief of Rs 5 lakh has been announced for the kin of the deceased.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, "Spoke to Railways Minister Shri @AshwiniVaishnaw
and took stock of the situation in the wake of the train accident in West Bengal.
My thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover quickly."
The cause of the accident is not known yet. This is the first accident after
a gap of 34 months on the Indian Railways involving casualties.
