Two passengers were dead, while six people were injured after 18 coaches of the Mumbai-Howrah Mail derailed in Jharkhand early on Tuesday.
The accident happened at nearly 3.45 am in Bara Bambu village near Chakradharpur.
Ambulances and rescue teams rushed to the site soon after the derailment was notified.
Om Prakash Charan, a spokesperson for the South Eastern Railways (SER), told news agency PTI that there was another derailment of a goods train nearby, but it was not yet clear whether the two accidents occurred concurrently.
"At least 18 coaches of the 22-coach 12810 Howrah-Mumbai Mail via Nagpur derailed near Barabamboo station in SER's Chakradharpur division at 3.45 AM," he said.
Of these, 16 were passenger coaches, one power car and one pantry car, he said.
"Six passengers were injured in the accident and provided medical aid in Barabamboo. They are now being taken to Chakradharpur for better treatment," another senior SER official said.
The reason for the derailment was being ascertained, he added.
MANY TRAINS CANCELLED, DIVERTED
Meanwhile, three trains were cancelled, while one each was short-terminated and diverted as the route was affected after the derailment.
The cancelled trains were Howrah-Kantabanji Ispat Express (22861), Kharagpur-Dhanbad Express, and Hawrah-Barbil Express.
South Bihar Express (13288) was diverted, and Asansol Tata Memu Pass Special Train (08173) was short-terminated at Adra.
In an official statement, the Indian Railways said, "Train No. 12810 Howara-CSMT Express has derailed near Chakradharpur, between Rajkharswan West Outer and Barabamboo in Chakradharpur division."
"ARME with Staff and ADRM CKP on site. 6 persons have been injured. All have been given first aid by the Railway medical team," it said.
HELPLINE NUMBERS ISSUED
In the wake of the train derailment, the Indian Railways issued some emergency numbers, which are as follows -
Tatanagar: 06572290324
Chakradharpur: 06587 238072
Rourkela: 06612501072, 06612500244
Howrah: 9433357920, 03326382217
Ranchi: 0651-27-87115
HWH Help Desk: 033-26382217, 9433357920
SHM Help Desk: 6295531471, 7595074427
KGP Help Desk: 03222-293764
CSMT Helpline Auto no 55993
P&T: 022-22694040
Mumbai: 022-22694040
Nagpur: 7757912790
MAMATA BANERJEE QUESTIONS GOVERNANCE
In an X post, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee offered condolences to the families of those killed in the train accident. She also questioned the governance over the accident.
"Another disastrous rail accident! Howrah- Mumbai mail derails in Chakradharpur division in Jharkhand today early morning, multiple deaths and huge number of injuries are the tragic consequences. I seriously ask: is this governance?," she tweeted.
"This series of nightmares almost every week, this unending procession of deaths and injuries on railway tracks: for how long shall we tolerate this? Will there be no end to the callousness of Government of India?! My heart goes out to the bereaved families, condolences to the next of kin," the Chief Minister said.
Source: India Today