Utkal Express Derails in UP’s Muzaffarnagar, 23 Dead, Casualties Feared to Rise

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu ordered an inquiry into the derailment. He said he was personally monitoring the situation and strict action will be taken in case of any lapse.

Updated: August 20, 2017 12:17 AM IST

By India.com News Desk

Utkal Express Derails in UP's Muzaffarnagar, 23 Dead, Casualties Feared to Rise

Muzaffarnagar, Aug 19: The Puri-Haridwar utkal Express derailed today in Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar, leading to the death of atleast 23 passengers. At least 40 people were left injured in the accident, which occurred at 5:46 PM, said the statement issued by Uttar Pradesh DGP Sulkhan Singh.

According to ADG (Railway) VK Maurya, 10 coaches of the Utkal Express derailed near Khatauli station in Muzaffarnagar. However, fresh reports suggest nearly 16 out of the 23 bogies went off the track.

Post the accident, 9 companies of PAC, along with the teams of NDRF were rushed to the site to expedite the rescue and relief operation.

The injured victims were rushed to the six nearby hospitals in Muzaffarnagar district.

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Union Minister Sanjiv Balyan, who was monitoring the relig operation on ground, told ABP News that all passengers in the derailed bogies were successfully evacuated. “All the passengers evacuated are rushed to the hospitals. Our immediate priority is to save lives. But the death toll may increase as there are some dead bodies still in the derailed coaches,” he said.

However, the statements of the Minister was contradicted by reports emerging from the ground which said dozens of people were still feared to be trapped in the bogies.

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu ordered an inquiry into the derailment. He said he was personally monitoring the situation and strict action will be taken in case of any lapse.

In a series of tweets, Prabhu also said that Minister of State Manoj Sinha has rushed to the spot while the Chairman of Railway Board and Member Traffic have been asked to oversee rescue and relief operations.

Two National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, comprising 45 personnel each, and two canines have been mobilised to the accident site from their base in Ghaziabad.

Medical vans have also been rushed to the site.

“All efforts being taken to ensure speedy relief and rescue operations,” Prabhu said.

The Railway Ministry was also in close touch with the Uttar Pradesh government to coordinate rescue and relief operations.

In Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh ADG (Law and Order) Anand Kumar said that top priority was being accorded to ensure prompt rescue and relief work.

He said PAC and NDRF teams have been rushed to the spot.

Since darkness was impeding rescue operations, he said the power department officials had been directed to ensure that there was no shortage of electricity.

Kumar also said IMA chapters in Meerut zone have been alerted and asked to ensure adequate and prompt medical care to the injured.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath enquired about the accident and directed officials to take all possible action, an official spokesperson said.

Adityanath has directed two of his ministers to reach the site to expedite rescue and relief operations.

Above are the helpline numbers issued by the administration.

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