Gorakhdham train accident: Inquiry ordered as death toll rises

Lucknow: Railways today ordered an inquiry into the Gorakhdham train mishap in Uttar Pradesh and announced compensation for the next of the kin of those killed and the injured as the death toll increased to 25 while over 100 were said to be injured.

"An inquiry has been ordered into the incident," Chairman Railway Board Arunendra Kumar told PTI, adding, the exact cause of the accident is yet to be ascertained.

The accident took place near Khalilabad station.

The incident occurred this morning when the express train came on the same track as the freight train near Chureb Railway Station, District Magistrate Bharat Lal said. However, NE Railway's CPRO Alok Singh said the accident was caused due to derailment. District authorities confirmed that 15 bodies were taken out from the coaches while 10 passengers died in hospital.

Officials in the Railway Board said the mishap occurred due to derailment of the express train. They said six coaches of the train then rammed into a stationary goods train standing on the adjoining track at the station. Out of the six coaches, four were general coaches and two were AC coach-- AC first class and AC two tier.

Railways have ordered an inquiry into the mishap by Commissioner Railway Safety (Northeast circle) P K Bajpayee. They have also ordered a compensation of Rs one lakh to the family of those killed and Rs 50,000 for those seriously injured. A sum of Rs 10,000 will be given to those who sustained simple injuries. Medical teams have rushed to the spot.