In yet another tragic train accident, Gorakhdham Super Fast Express hurtling down the same line collided with a stationary goods train in the remote interiors, killing at least 40 passengers and injuring over 100 others, on Monday morning. Preliminary reports cited a faulty signal system as the cause for the collision near Chureb railway station between Basti and Gorakhpur in Sant Kabir Nagar district.
The injured where shifted to Gorakhpur and other near-by hospitals while doctors were also rushed to the incident spot for immediate medical relied to the victims. Chief Minister, Akhilesh Yadav, also directed to forward all necessary help to the victims and had deputed a team under health minister, Ahmed Hassan, asking them to personally visit the spot and supervise the entire operation so maximum lives could be saved. He also directed chief secretary and principal secretary(home), to keep an eye on the situation.
According to reports, the superfast train, bound for Gorakhpur from Hisar via Delhi, was in full speed when it got derailed and later collided with the 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 causalities could be less but many victims succumbed as relief and rescue work was hampered as the collision site was on the outskirts of Gorakhpur, 42 km away. Only local villagers rescued several passengers. Travelers alleged that the rescue operation started very late and the authorities reached the spot 90 minutes after the accident took place.
Senior railway officials of North-Eastern Railways rushed to the spot with relief and rescue van. Two medical teams from Gorakhpur and Gonda while General Manager of the NE Railways have also reached the spot. Due to the accident, rail services on the Gorakhpur-lucknow rail route were affected. Railways set up control rooms at various stations to help out the relatives and near and dear ones of the passengers. A report said the station master of Chureb station, D D Pandey, was absconding after the collision.
Meanwhile President Pranab Mukherjee mourned the loss of life. Outgoing prime minister, Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi, Governor B l Joshi, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi also offered their condolences.