Patna: At least six people were killed and over a dozen others injured when nine coaches of the Delhi-bound Seemanchal Express derailed on Sunday in Bihar’s Vaishali district, officials said.
The mishap occurred between 3.50 am to 4 am, near Sahdai Bujurg station.
According to Railway officials, three of the 11 coaches of the train that runs between Bihar’s Jogbani and Anand Vihar in New Delhi, has been damaged.
The prima facie cause of the accident was due to a rail fracture at a crossing, the officials added.
Rajesh Kumar, the Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of East Central Railway (ECR), said the remaining 12 coaches of the train has been moved to the Hajipur station.
Few more coaches after which it will move towards Delhi, Kumar added.
All passenger trains on the route were cancelled,
Union Minister of Railways Piyush Goyal announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the victims’ kin.
“Railways would give ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to the kin of every deceased. Rs 1 lakh would be given to the grievously injured and Rs 50,000 to those who suffered simple injuries. All medical expenses will also be born by the Railways,” his Office tweeted.
In another tweet, the Office said that the Minister was in touch with Railway Board members and General Manager East Central Railway regarding the accident.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi condoled the deaths.
Sources said that damaged track could be possibly be the reason for the mishap. However, a detailed inquiry alone could establish the exact cause of the accident, sources added.