LUCKNOW: At least 13 people were injured after 12 coaches of
Poorva Express derailed near
Rooma Railway station under
Maharjpur Police Station, Kanpur Nagar in the wee hours of Saturday, railway officials said.
No casualty has been reported so far, said the police.
The incident took place when the train (12303) was on its way from Howrah to New Delhi near Ruma industrial estate in Ruma village.
ADG law and order Anand Kumar told TOI that four bogies overturned, including AC coaches.
The coaches that derailed are: S8, S9, B1-B5, A1, A2, HA1, pantry car and an SLR (seating cum luggage rake), according to a railway statement.
The
Howrah-New Delhi Poorva express was supposed to arrive at Kanpur Central railway station 12:05 am, but the train was running 1 hour 12 minutes late, and it derailed at 00.54 am near Ruma in Maharajpur area, said railway officials.
The parting of train led to derailment, said superintendent of police (rural) Pradyumna Singh. "Primafacie, loose coupling seem to be the cause. However, experts are assessing the damage as well as the cause that led to the incident," said Singh further.
One National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team of 45 persons has reached the spot. (Picture credit-ANI)The injured have been rushed to Kanshiram hospital and Halet, he said, adding that a relief train from Prayag was on the way to the accident site.
900 passengers in two batches were sent to Delhi from Kanpur Central in two special trains. While the first special train departed at 5:45 am, the second train left Kanpur at 7:50 am with approximately 900 passengers, said PRO NCR Sunil Kumar Gupta.
Recounting the incident, a passenger said there was a loud sound and everyone fell off their seats. Another passenger said he got out of the window of the train after the accident.
DM Kanpur Vijay Vishwas Pant told mediapersons that buses were being arranged to take passengers to Kanpur Central.
The railways have issued helpline numbers: 1072, 9454403738, 9454401463, 9454401075, 9454400384 and 0512-23333111/112/113, Kanpur 0572-1072 and 0532-1072 for Allahabad. It has diverted 13 trains and cancelled one train.
The district magistrate, senior superintendent of police and other senior officials reached the spot and are supervising the rescue operation. An 'accident relief train' and medical teams from Allahabad and Kanpur have departed for the site, the officials said.
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team has reached the spot and rescue operation is under way.
Restoration of Up line (Howrah to Delhi) line will take time, and may be restored in the evening at around 4 PM, CPRO north central railway.