13 coaches of Surat-boundtrain derail in Saran, 6 hurt

Patna: At least six passengers were injured when 13 coaches of Chhapra-Surat Tapti Ganga Express (19046) derailed near Gautamsthan station in Saran district around 9.45am on Sunday.
The accident occurred when the train was about to reach Gautamsthan station, about 9km from Chhapra, under Varanasi division of the North Eastern Railway (NER).
Chief public relations officer (CPRO) of NER Sanjay Yadav said six passengers received minor injuries in the accident.“Railway doctors rushed to the site immediately after the accident and gave first aid to the injured passengers. They were later allowed to continue their onward journey,” the CPRO said. He added apart from pantry car and brake van, four AC III, five sleeper and two general coaches derailed.
Yadav said accident relief trains were rushed to the site from Chhapra and Mau stations to clear the track. The track restoration work was on till the time of filing of this report.
Commissioner of railway safety has been asked to probe the cause of derailment. According to railway sources, the accident probably occurred due to faults in the tracks. The accident completely paralysed train services on Chhapra-Ballia-Mau-Azamgarh-Varanasi route.
“All 13 derailed coaches were detached from the train. The train left for Ballia at 12 noon with 11 remaining coaches. Additional coaches were attached to the train at Ballia to accommodate passengers of the derailed coaches. From Ballia, the train continued its onward journey,” the CPRO said, adding those who chose not to travel in the train after derailment will get refund.
Three passenger trains were cancelled and nine diverted following the derailment. Some trains were short terminated at different places in the division.