At least 27 people have died after Kamayani Express from Mumbai to Varanasi and Mumbai-Jabalpur Express Janata derailed near the station Kudawa station, about 30 kilometers from the district of Harda in southwest Madhya Pradesh, late Tuesday at night.
More than 300 people have been rescued after two trains derailed while crossing a swollen river Machak, authorities said. According to officials, six coaches Kamayani Express and three motor coaches Janata Express derailed last night as the base material on the slopes was devastated. “The accident occurred around 23:30 on Tuesday as the base material of the tracks was flattened by heavy rains.” The Janata Express, en route to Mumbai from Patna, first derailed around 23:30 near the city Harda Machak across the river. Minutes later, Kamayani Express, coming from the opposite direction from Mumbai to Varanasi, also derailed in the same place.
Reported dead included 11 men, 11 women and five children, whose bodies have been recovered from the accident site between Khirkiya and Hårda, Madhya Pradesh Public Relations Department Commissioner stations Anupam Rajan told PTI today.
An investigation headed by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (central circle) has been ordered into the accident, train and Suresh Prabhu Minister announced ex gratia payments to be made immediately to the wounded. It is expected to make a detailed statement about the accident today in Parliament.
According to West Central Railway PRO Piyush Mathur, the twin derailments occurred as a base material in the tracks had managed to wash after recent rains. The crash site is about 160 kilometers south of Bhopal, the state capital.
“Seven bogies of Kamayani Express including engine plus three coaches Janata Express derailed between Khirkiya and Bhirangi stations near Harda,” Mathur said.
Meanwhile AK Mittal, Railway Board Chairman, said a flash flood had caused the incident. “Ten minutes ago at this point the train movement was normal, no problem,” he said Wednesday morning. “It looks like a flash flood suddenly came in 10 minutes time, which resulted in the alteration of the track and the subsequent derailment of trains.”
