KANPUR: Twelve coaches of the Howrah-New Delhi Poorva Express derailed near Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh early on Saturday, injuring at least 15 people.
The train was going to New Delhi when the incident occurred near Rooma railway station — about 20 km from Kanpur — in Kanpur Nagar district around 12:50 am.
Four out of the 12 derailed Linke Hofmann Busch coaches overturned, North Central Railway public relations officer Amit Malviya said.
Chaudhary said a special train comprising of 14 coaches with 900 passengers of Poorva Express left for New Delhi around 5:45 am while another train of 10 coaches left around 7:50 am with the remaining passengers.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed officials to extend all possible help to those affected and ensure that proper medical treatment is provided to them. The injured were also provided immediate monetary compensations.
Three critically injured people were admitted to the trauma centre of Hallet Hospital while 12 others were also given treatment, UP government officials said, adding that 52 people were given first aid.
The coaches that derailed were S8, S9, B1-B5, A1, A2, HA1, pantry car and an SLR (seating-cum-luggage rake), according to a statement issued by the railways.
Kanpur Additional Director General of Police Prem Prakash said the passengers of the derailed train were brought to Kanpur station by buses.
“The administration, police and the locals, who were the first responders, have done a wonderful job by rushing the victims to hospitals in a short span of time after a such a major accident,” an official of the National Disaster Response Force told the reporters.
Malviya said the New Delhi-Howrah down line was cleared while work was underway on the up line.
As many as 28 trains were diverted and 16 cancelled because of the derailment, the officials said. (PTI)
