Railways suspends two officials over derailment of New Farakka Express

New Delhi-bound New Farakka Express had derailed near Rae Bareli on Wednesday killing five people and leaving 19 injured.

Railways suspended two officials Thursday over derailment of the New Farakka Express, senior officials said.

A police personnel stands the site where the engine of the New Farakka Express train derailed along with eight coaches near Harchandpur Railway station in Rae Bareli on October 10. (AFP Photo)

They said that the signal inspector and the electrical signal maintainer were suspended to facilitate the probe.

“The indications are that the cause of the accident was prima facie wrong signalling. We have suspended the two on the recommendation of the chief commissioner railway safety to ensure that no evidence is tampered with,” a senior official of the railways said.

Senior section engineer, signalling, Bachrawa, Vinod Kumar Sharma and electrical signal maintainer at Kudanganj, Amarnath have been suspended, Northern Railway spokesperson Deepak Kumar said.

Five coaches and the engine of the New Delhi bound New Farakka Express derailed near Rae Bareli early Wednesday, killing at least five people and seriously injuring nine.