In yet another tragic train accident, the Gorakhdham Express collided with a goods train stationed on the same line, killing at least 40 people and injuring over 100 others, at 10.35 am on Monday. Preliminary reports cited a faulty signal system as the cause of the collision near Chureb Railway Station between Basti and Gorakhpur in Sant Kabir Nagar district.
The injured were shifted to hospitals in Gorakhpur and adjoining areas while doctors were rushed to the site of the accident to provide medical aid to the victims.
Till late in the night, Railways put the toll at 11 dead and 83 injured. However, the UP Home Department said in a statement in lucknow that at least 40 people were killed in the accident.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav ordered that all necessary help should be given to the victims and deputed a team under Health Minister Ahmed Hassan to rush to the spot and supervise the entire operation so that maximum lives could be saved.
He also directed the Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary (Home), to keep an eye on the situation.
According to reports, the superfast train, bound for Gorakhpur from Hissar via Delhi, was in full speed when it got derailed and collided with a goods train stationed on the same track. Six coaches along with the engine derailed after the accident. One of the general coaches of the superfast train climbed over the goods train. Three general coaches and an AC First coach along with a SlR got derailed. The three general coaches were the worst affected and all the casualties were reported from there.
The driver of the superfast train laxmi Narain was also killed in the accident along with the guard of the goods train. The casualties could have been less but many victims succumbed to their injuries as relief and rescue work was hampered due to the collision site being on the outskirts of Gorakhpur, 42 kms away. Villagers rescued several passengers while waiting for help to arrive.
Travellers alleged that the rescue operation started very late and the authorities reached the spot 90 minutes after the accident took place.
Rescue workers struggled to extricate the passengers trapped in the mangled bogies which had overturned following the collision. Paramilitary personnel were called in to assist in the operations.
An enquiry by Commissioner of Railway Safety North-East Circle PK Bajpayee has been ordered, Chairman Railway Board Arunendra Kumar said, adding, the exact cause of the accident will be ascertained only after it is completed.
Senior Railway officials of North-Eastern Railways rushed to the spot with relief and rescue vans. Two medical teams from Gorakhpur and Gonda and General Manager of NE Railways also reached the spot. Due to the accident, rail services on the Gorakhpur-lucknow route were affected. Railways set up control rooms at various stations to help out the relatives and friends of the passengers. A report said the Station Master of Chureb Station, DD Pandey, was absconding after the collision.
Meanwhile President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, outgoing Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Governor Bl Joshi and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi offered their condolences and mourned the loss of lives.
