West Bengal train accident: 50 feared killed as train rams another

 

 

Sainthia, West Bengal :  Fifty people are feared dead in a train collision in West Bengal, near the Jharkhand border. Over 170 people have been taken to hospital, some are said to be in critical condition.

At around 2 am on Monday, the Uttar Banga Express coming in from New Cooch Bihar to Sealdah rammed a stationary Bhagalpur-Ranchi Vananchal Express at Sainthia station in Virbhum district, 191 kms from Howrah. (See Pics)

 

Casualties are feared in two general second class bogies of the Vananchal Express. These coaches and the luggage van and guard van of the train were hit. A local television channel said so severe was the impact that the roof of a bogey had been detached in the collision and was thrown up on an overbridge. (Watch:Impact severe, bogey roof thrown up on overbridge: Ticketing officer)


Relief operations are on and around 32 bodies have reportedly been removed from the wreckage. Equipment like gas cutters are being used to bring people out of the mangled heaps that the bogies are. The focus is on saving lives and the locals in the area have been helping in rescue work. There are some people coming out unscathed from the wreckage. (Watch: Locals helping remove bodies from wreckage)


PTI said Eastern Railway sources in Kolkata had confirmed that the driver of the Uttar Banga Express, M C Dey, had died in the accident, but there were no reports about the fate of assistant driver N K Mandal.


The guard of the Vananchal Express, A Mukherjee, also died in the accident.


Sainthia is about 22 km from Rampurhat and most of the injured are being taken to a hospital there. Some have been taken to the district headquarters, Shiuri. Some of the injured at Shiuri are said to be in critical condition. There is reportedly a shortage of blood.


The first accident relief train and medical van reached the spot at about 3.35 am. More trains are on their way from Rampurhat, Asansol and Burdwan.


Since the accident, the undamaged bogies of the Vananchal Express have been disconnected and the train has left Sainthia for Ranchi. A new engine has also reached for the Uttar Banga Express and the train will leave for Sealdah soon. (Watch:Unaffected bogies of Vanachal detached, train leaves for Ranchi)


Eastern Railway CPRO, Samir Goswami said  a few trains – the Kanchunjunga Express, the Sealdah bound Darjeeling mail and the Kanchankanya Express had been diverted.


Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee was in Delhi and rushed to the spot as did senior officials.
Questions are being raised on how the two trains were on the same line.  Also, the scheduled arrival and departure of the Uttar Banga Express at Sainthia was 1.38 am and 1.39 am and it was not clear why the train, which was to halt at the station, arrived at a high speed.


Control rooms have been opened in Sealdah, Malda, Bhagalpur and Howrah.


Helpline numbers:
Ranchi: (0651) 2600263/64,  2460488, 2461404
Sealdah: (033) 23503535, 23503537,
Malda: (06436) 222061
Bhagalpur: (06412) 4222433
Jamalpur (063444) 3101
(With PTI inputs)

Provided by: currentnewsindia.com