Coromandel Express derailed: 16 killed
The death toll could increase as many passengers are still trapped inside the affected train compartments. The accident took place while the train was changing tracks after crossing the Jajpur?Keonjhar Road railway station in Orissa on Friday.
SIXTEEN PASSENGERS were killed and more than 160 persons injured as the 2841 UP Chennai bound Coromandel Express derailed near the Jajpur–Keonjhar Road railway station in Orissa on Friday night (February 13). Fourteen bogies of Howrah-Chennai Coromandel Express were derailed in this accident.
The accident took place while the train was changing tracks after crossing the station.
While speaking to media, Ajay Kumar Goel, the General Manager of the East Coast Railway confirmed the casualties. He further added that the train left the Howrah station at 2:50 pm and was running at a high speed. Goel also inspected the accident site and reported that among the 14 bogies, 11 were sleeper class, two general and one vendor.
The accident took place just hours after the Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav announced the interim rail budget of 2009-2010. According to the witnesses, the accident occurred at about 8 pm. The local people extended help in rescuing the distressed. The injured were rushed to the Area Hospital in Jajpur and SBB Hospital in Cuttack. The relief train along with rescue members and gas cutters from Howrah arrived later.
The Rail Ministry declared to give a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the next of the each deceased. Every injured person would also receive Rs 50000 from the Rail Ministry.
The number of death toll could increase as many passengers are still trapped inside the affected train compartments. The wheels and springs of the bogies lay in all directions 200 to 300 metre away from the spot.
Though the sombre darkness primarily affected the rescue, later flood lights were rigged up. The Orissa Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams also joined the rescue operation with high-tech equipment.
Prafulla Ghadai, the Finance minister of Orissa and Pramila Mallick, the Women and Child Development minister of Orissa rushed to the site. Naveen Patnaik, the chief minister of Orissa also visited the accident site.
The 2703 UP Falaknuma Express (Howrah to Secunderabad) and 8645 UP East Coast Express (Howrah to Hyderabad) have been cancelled today as the accident took place on their way. No information has yet been given regarding the departure of 2839 UP Madras Mail (Howrah – Chennai) on Saturday.
The Coromandel Express is mostly filled with patients from West Bengal, who go to Chennai for getting better treatment at a lesser cost. As soon as the news of accident was telecast, the anxious family members and relatives of the passengers gathered at the Howrah station. A special enquiry booth has been opened at the Howrah station.
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