18 July,2024 03:39 PM IST | Lucknow | mid-day online correspondent
Passengers on the site of derailment/ Screengrab
On Thursday, at least four coaches of the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express derailed near Gonda in Uttar Pradesh, killing four people and injuring 20. Brajesh Pathak, Uttar Pradesh's Deputy Chief Minister, confirmed the killings and claimed the incident occurred in Gonda district. Relief Commissioner GS Naveen Kumar stated that 20 individuals were hurt in the tragedy, reported PTI.
A 40-person medical team and 15 ambulances are currently on the scene, with more on their way. Rescue activities are overseen by senior railway and local administrative personnel.
Meanwhile, visuals from the scene showed passengers alighting from the train as they retrieved whatever goods they could. Several are seen huddled around the derailed coach and some were seated on the sleepers along the route with their luggage.
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The derailment happened around 2:35 pm, according to railway officials. The Indian Railways has initiated relief operations, and medical vans have arrived at the accident site.
Helpline numbers have been established to assist affected families:
Gonda: 8957400965
Lucknow;8957409292
Railway Board:
Commercial Control: 9957555984
Furkating (FKG): 9957555966
Mariani (MXN): 6001882410
Simalguri (SLGR): 8789543798
Tinsukia (NTSK): 9957555959
Dibrugarh (DBRG): 9957555960
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed local authorities to provide immediate assistance to the affected passengers and ensure proper medical treatment for those injured.
"The train accident in Gonda district is extremely sad. District administration officials have been directed to carry out relief and rescue operations on a war footing and to take the injured to the hospital on top priority and provide them with proper treatment. I pray to Lord Shri Ram for the speedy recovery of the injured," CM Yogi had written in his social media post.