On Thursday, eight coaches of the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express derailed near Gonda in Uttar Pradesh, resulting in the death of four passengers and injuries to around 20 others. The derailment took place between Motiganj and Jhilahi railway stations under the North Eastern Railway jurisdiction.
Updated On: 2024-07-18 07:20 PM IST
Compiled by : Sanjana Deshpande
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak confirmed the death toll and reported that 20 individuals sustained injuries in the derailment. Relief efforts swiftly mobilised with medical teams and ambulances deployed to the site to provide immediate assistance to the injured.
Gonda District Magistrate Neha Sharma, along with senior railway and local administration officials, reached the accident site promptly to oversee rescue operations. A 40-member medical team and multiple ambulances were stationed on-site, with additional reinforcements en route to provide necessary medical aid.
Passengers aboard the train recounted harrowing experiences as the coaches derailed. Sandeep Kumar, a survivor from the sleeper coach, described chaotic scenes of dust and darkness after the derailment, with fellow passengers helping each other escape through windows amidst cries for help.
According to survivors like Manish Tiwari and Dileep Singh, the derailment was preceded by a loud noise and a sudden jerk, throwing passengers off balance and causing panic among those aboard. Many passengers recalled being jolted awake by the violent motion of the train.
Rescue efforts faced challenges since the team navigated waterlogged fields adjacent to the tracks and ensured the safety of passengers in the damaged coaches. Emergency responders made announcements to prevent bystanders from approaching the accident site.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed local authorities to extend full support to affected passengers. Helpline numbers were activated to assist relatives seeking information about the incident.
Passengers, some injured and shocked, were guided to safety by rescue teams, with serious cases transported by ambulance to nearby hospitals. The district administration arranged buses to facilitate the transfer of passengers to their respective destinations following the derailment.
Police and rescue personnel cordoned off the accident site to facilitate uninterrupted rescue operations and ensure the safety of passengers and emergency responders alike.
To identify any mistakes or aggravating factors, authorities have started looking into what caused the derailment.
