Two people were killed, and 20 others were injured when 18 coaches of the Howrah-Mumbai Mail derailed in Jharkhand's Seraikela-Kharsawan district early on Tuesday. Pics/ PTI
Updated On: 2024-07-30 11:29 AM IST
Compiled by : Sanjana Deshpande
The derailment occurred near Barabamboo, around 80 km from Jamshedpur, under the Chakradharpur Division of the South Eastern Railway (SER). The accident took place at 3.45 AM, and rescue operations are currently underway.
The Howrah-Mumbai Mail derailed at 3.45 AM near Barabamboo station, resulting in two fatalities and 20 injuries. The accident site is close to the border between West Singhbhum and Seraikela-Kharsawan districts.
Rescue teams, including an NDRF team, are on the scene, and efforts are being made to provide medical assistance to the injured.
SER spokesperson Om Prakash Charan reported that another goods train derailed nearby, but it is unclear if the two accidents were related. According to West Singhbhum Deputy Commissioner Kuldeep Chaudhary, the Howrah-Mumbai Mail collided with a stationary goods train.
Rescue operations are being carried out promptly at the site of the Howrah-Mumbai Mail derailment. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and local authorities are working together to assist the injured and evacuate passengers. Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has directed officials to expedite relief operations.
Injured passengers were initially provided medical aid at Barabamboo and later transported to Chakradharpur for better treatment. A relief train and buses have been arranged to evacuate and transport passengers to nearby Chakradharpur railway station. So far, 80 passengers have been sent to Chakradharpur by bus.
Following the derailment, several trains on the affected route have been cancelled or diverted. The South Eastern Railway (SER) cancelled the 22861 Howrah-Titlagarh-Kantabanji Ispat Express and the 12021 Howrah-Barbil Janshatabdi Express. Other trains were either short-terminated or diverted.
The South Eastern Railway has opened multiple helpline numbers to assist those affected by the derailment. The numbers include contacts for Mumbai, Bhusawal, Nagpur, Tata, Chakradharpur, Rourkela, Jharsuguda, Howrah, Shalimar, and Kharagpur.
The cause of the Howrah-Mumbai Mail derailment is under investigation. Initial reports suggest that the passenger train hit a stationary goods train, leading to the derailment of 18 coaches, including 16 passenger coaches, one power car, and one pantry car.
