Rajdhani Express mishap: 4 killed, 23 injured

The accident happened around 2.10 a.m when most of the passengers were sleeping.

Of the 12 coaches, 5 coaches alongwith the engine were capsized whereas six coaches were derailed. 

According to the government statement, 4 persons have died and 23 persons were injured which include 8 grievously injured persons.

Two passengers with simple injuries were discharged after first medical aid. All injured were shifted to Sadar Hospital in Chhapra and Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH).

Rests of the stranded passengers were carried by a special train to their respective destinations on Wednesday evening.

Railway Minister D.V.Sadanand Gowda, Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha, Member Mechanical, Railway Board Alok Johri and Member Traffic, Railway Board D.P.Pande visited the site to personally take stock of the situation.

They also visited hospitals to see the injured passengers.

Earlier, General Manager of East Central Railway (ECR),  Madhuresh Kumar and Divisional Regional Manager of Sonpur Division Rajesh Tiwari and senior officials of ECR and Sonpur division along with a team of doctors immediately reached the site after the accident took place.

Meanwhile, Gowda has announced an ex-gratia of  Rs. 2 lakh to the next of kin of dead, Rs. 1 lakh to persons with grievous injury and Rs. 20,000 to those who received simple injuries.

Chairman, Railway Board Arunendra Kumar constantly monitored the relief and rescue efforts from Delhi headquarters.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Pranab Mukherjee condoled the loss of lives due to the accident.

Modi also announced a compensation of Rs. 2 lakhs from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund, for the next of kin of those who lost their lives in the accident. This is in addition to the relief assistance given by the Railways.

An ex-gratia relief of Rs. 50,000 has also been sanctioned by the PM for those who were seriously injured in the accident.

An enquiry into the accident will be conducted by Commissioner of Railway Safety, Eastern Circle P.K.Bajpai, the Ministry of Railways said in a statement.

While, earlier the Railway Minister told NDTV channel that he suspects that Maoists triggered a blast on the tracks resulting in the derailment of the train, no official confirmation have been received so far.

Helplines have been set up to provide information to families of the victims and other passengers at Chhapra, Samastipur, Hajipur, Sonpur, Barauni, Muzaffarpur, Lucknow, Varanasi, Balia, Guwahati, Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Mariani, Dimapur, Lumding, New Coochbehar, New Jalpaiguri and Katihar.