Six people, including 3 women, were killed and several injured, after Seemanchal Express (train number 12487) derailed in Vaishali district, Bihar, on the 3rd of February.
A team of doctors from Sonpur and Barauni rushed to the spot and rescue operations were started.
The deceased were identified as Sudarshan from Bela, Iicha and Indra from Baluahi village of Khagaria district, Bihar. The other three victims were from North Dinajpur district, West Bengal and their names are yet to be identified.
The incident took place when a Delhi bound Seemanchal Express, travelling from Jogbani, Bihar to Anand Vihar, Delhi, derailed, in the Sahadai Buzurg area of Bihar. Approximately 11 coaches, including one general coach, one air conditioned coach, three sleeper coaches and 6 other coaches, were derailed, out of which 3 were badly damaged.
According to East Central Railway (ECR) officials, the reason behind the accident is fractured rails. Rajesh Kumar, ECR Public Relation Officer (PRO,) said, “Rail fracture is common during winter. It is caused due to low temperature which damages tracks. The exact cause will be known after a probe by the commissioner of railway safety.”
Speaking about the rescue operations and the injured individuals, Mr. Kumar said, “Among the injured, about 30 were rushed to the Sadar Hospital at Hajipur, the district headquarters.” He further said, “Eight others with minor injuries were discharged after treatment at a primary health centre in Sahadai Buzurg, where the mishap took place.”
The Ministry of Railways took to Twitter and shared the helpline numbers which people can contact in case of any emergency.
For information the train accident of 12487 Seemanchal Express, contact following Help line numbers :
Sonpur 06158221645
Hajipur 06224272230
Barauni 06279232222
Patna
06122202290/91/92.— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) February 3, 2019
Piyush Goyal, the Railway Minister, reached the accident spot and supervised the rescue operations. He expressed grief regarding the loss of lives and conveyed his condolences to the families of the deceased.
Nitish Kumar, the Chief Minister of Bihar, announced financial aid, which includes an ex gratia of Rs. 5 lakhs to the families of the deceased, Rs. 1 lakh to those who are seriously injured and Rs. 50,000 to the victims who suffered minor injuries.
वैशाली के सहदेई बुजुर्ग स्टेशन के पास सीमांचल एक्सप्रेस रेल दुर्घटना में लोगों की मृत्यु दुःखद। घायलों के शीघ्र स्वस्थ होने की कामना है। जिलाधिकारी एवं पुलिस अधीक्षक रेलवे के साथ समन्वय कर राहत कार्य का अनुश्रवण कर रहे हैं। https://t.co/QV9hCXSPTN
— Nitish Kumar (@NitishKumar) February 3, 2019
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rahul Gandhi, the Indian National Congress (INC) leader, and other political leaders also took to Twitter and conveyed their condolences to the victims’ families.
Deeply anguished by the loss of lives due to the derailment of coaches of the Seemanchal Express. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover quickly. Railways, NDRF, and local authorities are providing all possible assistance in the wake of the accident.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 3, 2019
बिहार में हुए रेल हादसे से बहुत आहत हूँ|
पीड़ित परिवारों के प्रति मैं अपनी गहरी शोक और संवेदना व्यक्त करता हूँ।
स्थानीय कांग्रेस कार्यकर्ताओं से अनुरोध है कि दुर्घटना से प्रभावित परिवारों की हरसंभव मदद करें।#seemanchalexpress
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) February 3, 2019
