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Sealdah-Ajmer Express derails in Kanpur, more than 60 injured
Train no. 12987 Sealdah-Ajmer Express went off the tracks between Rura and Metha railway stations, about 50km from Kanpur. The rescue operations are underway and railway minister Suresh Prabhu has ordered a thorough probe.
Fifteen coaches of the Sealdah-Ajmer Express derailed near Kanpur early on Wednesday, injuring more than 60 people.
Train no. 12987 Sealdah-Ajmer Express went off the tracks between Rura and Metha railway stations, about 50km from Kanpur, the ministry of railways said on Twitter.
The incident comes just a month after over 140 people were killed and more than 200 injured when 14 coaches of the Indore-Patna Express train derailed in Kanpur Dehat district of Uttar Pradesh on November 20.
Live updates:
2.04pm: Railways minister Suresh Prabhu announces Rs 50,000 for critically injured and Rs 25,000 for those sustained minor injuries
1.37pm: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav announces relief of Rs 50,000 for passengers seriously injured, Rs 25,000 for those with minor wounds
12.45pm: Spokesperson Anil Saxena: Due to the unfortunate incident, ministry of railways has decided to cancel the formal programme of launching / inauguration of various services / projects in Uttar Pradesh to be held today ie 28 Dec 2016 at 2:20pm in Rail Bhawan. However all the services / projects will be deemed to have been launched and inaugurated.
11.09am: The railways ministry clarifies no deaths as yet in the Kanpur train derailment, issues a list of 44 passengers injured.
10.48am: Indian Railways spokesperson Anil Saxena says financial assistance under rules is being made available to victims of Sealdah-Ajmer Express train derailment. People who opted for additional insurance cover through e-ticketing will also get the benefit of their claim.
10.15am: New Delhi-Lucknow Gomti Express, Delhi- Azamgarh Kaifiyat Express, Anand Vihar-Rewa Express cancelled for Wednesday due to operational reasons
Other trains which have been diverted are:
■ 12826 New Delhi-Ranchi Jharkhand Sampark Kranti Express will run via Palwal; started on 28/12/2016
■ 12382 New Delhi-Howrah Poorva Express will run via Palwal; journey commenced on 28/12/2016
■ 12312 Kalka-Howrah Kalka Mail will via Moradabad; journey commenced on 27/12/2016
■ 12488 Anand Vihar (Delhi)-Jogbani Seemanchal Express via Moradabad; journey commenced on 28/12/2016
9.57am: Number of injured increases to 43: Kumar Ravikant, Kanpur Dehat DM, tells ANI
9.30am: All the passengers are being rescued and alternate arrangements are being made for those who want to continue with their journey: Kumar Ravikant, Kanpur Dehat district magistrate, tells ANI
8.42am: Two killed, 28 injured, says Kanpur IG Zaki Ahmad
8.35am: Officers engaged in rescue operation tell Hindustan Times that two of the fifteen derailed bogies have fallen in the nearby canal while one is lying on the platform at Rura Station. However, they said the bogies are not that badly damaged as they were in case of Indore-Patna train accident last month.
8.25am: Two persons killed, 26 injured: Kanpur inspector Zaki Ahmad general tells PTI
8.05am: Railway minister Suresh Prabhu tweets: We are working with hospitals and district administration to offer all possible help. We are making alternate arrangements for passengers to continue with their onward journey and are thus taken care of.
7.58: Indian Railways spokesperson Anil Saxena tells news agency ANI: “As per preliminary reports 15 coaches of the train got derailed. The first five and the last three coaches were intact.”
7.53am: Rescue operations on. Sixteen rushed from the spot to the hospital.
7.45am: Railways minister Suresh Prabhu says he is “personally monitoring the situation”; has asked senior officials and directed all concerned to ensure rescue and relief.
“Thorough investigation will be carried out to ascertain the cause,” Suresh Prabhu says.
7.40am: Indian Railways says accident relief train (ART) with accident relief medical equipment (ARME) have been sent for rescue operations.
6.45am: First visuals of the accident come in. According to initial reports, 14 coaches of the train derailed.
Dec 28, 5.20am: Train no. 12987 Sealdah-Ajmer Express derails between Rura and Metha railway stations near Kanpur.
Read | A train mishap is waiting at every corner: What ails the Indian Railways
