Jammu-bound Lohit Express derails at Pathankot station, passengers safe; Vande Bharat among trains delayed

Four trains, including the superfast Vande Bharat Express, were delayed as the track was to be cleared by railway authorities, officials said

PATHANKOT: A major mishap was averted when the Jammu-bound Lohit Express derailed just as it was about to halt at the Pathankot station on Wednesday morning. All passengers are safe.

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Four trains, including the superfast Vande Bharat Express, were delayed as the track was to be cleared by railway authorities, officials said.

The Guwahati-Jammu Tawi Lohit Express had slowed down to 10kmph near the Pathankot station when there was a sudden jolt as the last compartment went off track at 10.36am, eyewitnesses said.

Shambu Rai, a passenger, said: “Suddenly, we felt a sharp jerk and heard a loud noise. Fortunately, the train was slow and came to a halt. We found that the last compartment had derailed. Had the train been at a speed, it could have been worse.”

Station superintendent Ashwani Kumar said the authorities were trying to ascertain the reason for the derailment and the priority was to restore traffic.