Gorakhpur: Two speeding passenger trains collided near here late Tuesday night, killing 14 people and injuring 45 others.
The Maduadeeh-Lucknow Krishak Express hit Barauni-bound express train from Lucknowfrom the side while it was on the loop line at Nandanagar railway crossing, about seven kilometers from here, at around 11 pm, Chief Public Relation Officer of North-Eastern Railway Alok Kumar Singh told a news agency today.
As a result of the collision, five unreserved general class coaches of the Barauni Express derailed. The Krishak Express tore through the fifth coach and badly damaged the sixth, seventh and the eight coach of the Barauni Express.
The Railway Minister further announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the next of kin of those who died in the tragedy, Rs 1 lakh each to those grievously injured and Rs 20,000 each to those who sustained less serious injuries. Gowda has also directed to provide best treatment to people injured in the accident on LJN Divison of North East Railway.
Loco pilot of Krishak Express Ram Bahadur and assistant Loco pilot Satyajeet have been suspended for allegedly overshooting the signal. The train was going towards Lucknow while Barauni express was coming from the state capital. Talking to a news agency, Railway Board chairman Arunendra Kumar said the train track has been cleared and operations are to begin soon.
Rescue work was in full swing and the injured have been admitted to different hospitals in Gorakhpur.
Here are the helpline numbers:
Gorakhpur Cantt: 0551-3303365, 09794846980
Lucknow: 0522-2233042
Hajipur: 06224-272230
Muzaffarpur: 0621-2267048
Sonpur: 06158-221639
Baruni: 06279-231544
Samastipur: 06274-22613
Chhapra: 09006693233
Benares: 09919041978
Bureau Report
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