New Farakka Express derailed: Claim 7 lives, several injured

On Wednesday morning nine coaches of the New Farakka Express train derailed in Uttar Pradesh’s Raebareli. Seven people are reported to be dead and several others injured. On Tuesday morning, the ill fated train (No 14003) left Malda Town Station in West Bengal at 9.05 am and was scheduled to reach New Delhi at 2.35 pm Wednesday.

The New Farakka Express was coming from Malda Town in West Bengal and was travelling towards the national capital, Delhi. The incident happened almost 50 metre from Harchandpur railway station in Raebareli at 6:05 am, today,

Rescue operations are underway. NDRF teams from Varanasi and Lucknow have reached the accident site. On directions of Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, Ashwani Lohani, Railway Board Chairman has left for the accident site to take a stock of the situation.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has also taken cognisance of the train accident and has directed the DM, SP, health authorities and NDRF to provide all possible relief and rescue.

DRM Northern Railways said, “All passengers have been evacuated. Special train is being arranged to take them. It may take 24-36 hours for completion of clearance operation.” He also added that all up and down lines on the route have been blocked.

UP CM Yogi Adityanath has announced Rs 2 Lakh ex-gratia to the next of the kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 compensation for those with serious injuries.

Following are the emergency helpline numbers:

At Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction –
BSNL – 05412-254145

Railway – 027-73677

Emergency helpline numbers set up at Patna Station

BSNL – 0612-2202290, 0612-2202291, 0612-220229

Railway – 025-83288

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