Days After Utkal Tragedy, Kaifiyat Express Gets Derailed in Uttar Pradesh’s Auraiya, 74 Injured

A spokesperson for the North Central Railway informed that the train, travelling from Azamgarh to Delhi, collided with a dumper at around 2:50 am between Pata and Achalda railway stations.

Lucknow, Aug 23: 74 persons were left injured on Wednesday morning as 10 coaches and the engine of the Delhi-bound Kaifiyat Express got derailed in Auraiya district of Uttar Pradesh. As per the latest information, a relief train and the NDRF have reached the accident spot and the rescue operation has been concluded. Notably, this is the second rail accident in the state in four days.

Uttar Pradesh Principal Secretary (Home) Arvind Kumar has been quoted as saying by ANI that the rescue operation is over. He confirmed that 74 passengers have received minor injuries out of which four are critical and two have been referred to Etawah and two to Saifai. He also said that eight coaches of the train number got derailed out of which one overturned while claiming that no casualties have been reported as of yet. (ALSO READ: 23 Dead as 14 Coaches of Utkal Exp Derails in UP)

The rail traffic on Auraiya-Delhi-Howrah route has been affected due to the derailment of Kaifiyat Express in Auraiya. Over 40 trains have reportedly been cancelled or diverted.

7/Due to Derailment of Kaifiat Express B/W Pata -Uchhhalda following Diversion/Cancellation pic.twitter.com/gMBa8RwNAe

— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) August 23, 2017

#UttarPradesh: #LatestVisuals from Kaifiyat express derailment site near #Auraiya, 74 injured. Train derailed after colliding with a dumper pic.twitter.com/5sY7N4nNEu

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) August 23, 2017

Speaking to the Press Trust of India (PTI), a spokesperson for the North Central Railway informed that the train, travelling from Azamgarh to Delhi, collided with a dumper at around 2:50 am between Pata and Achalda railway stations. Meanwhile, Railways DG PRO, Anil Saxena told news agency ANI that train number 12225- Azamgarh to New Delhi- derailed in Auraiya district of Uttar Pradesh. “When Kaifiyat express was passing by Achalda and Pata station, by gate number 14, then a dumper collided with the train, derailing it with the engine and 12 coaches. There is no report of deaths,” he added. (ALSO READ: Goods Train Derails in Uttar Pradesh’s Kasganj)

Railways minister Suresh Prabhu expressed grief on the accident and tweeted about the mishap, saying that he is personally monitoring the situation.

Some passengers have received Injuries and have been shifted to nearby hospitals.I am personally monitoring situation,rescue operations 2/

— Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) August 23, 2017

Earlier in the day, the General Manager of the North Central Railway, MC Chauhan, had confirmed that at least 50 passengers have been left injured in the accident and all have been rushed to the hospital.

Meanwhile, the authorities have released a list of helpline numbers for disseminating information. The helpline numbers have been released for Kanpur, Tundla, Fatehpur, Lucknow, Etawah and Faizabad. 

Helpline numbers

Etawah-05688-1072, 266382, 266383

Lucknow-0522-2237677, 9794830975

Faizabad-05278-222603

Kanpur-0512-1072, 2323015, 2323016, 2323018

Aligarh-0571-1072, 2403458, 2403055

Tundla-05612-1072, 220337, 220338, 220339

6/Emergency & Helpline Numbers at different Locations are pic.twitter.com/OHFhrk5fH4

— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) August 23, 2017

The incident comes just three days after 14 coaches of the Kalinga Utkal Express derailed at Khatauli on Saturday killing 24 people and injuring dozens. Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu had ordered an inquiry into the incident and had announced Rs 3.5 lakh as compensation for kin of deceased.

(Inputs from agencies)