3 Dead, 30 Injured After Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express Derails In UP's Gonda, High-Level Inquiry Ordered

According to police, some coaches of the passenger train headed to Dibrugarh derailed between Motiganj and Jhilahi railway stations.

Three people have been reported dead after Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express derailed in UP's Gonda.

Source : Special Arrangement

Three people have been reported dead after at least eight coaches of the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express derailed in UP's Gonda district on Thursday. 30 people have also been injured in the incident that happened in the Motiganj area, about 150 km from Lucknow.  

The Indian Railways said that the train derailed near Gonda in Uttar Pradesh around 2:35 pm, when the train was heading for Basti from Gonda. It derailed shortly after it crossed the Motiganj railway station.

The Railways have announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakhs to the family of the deceased, Rs 2.5 lakhs for those who have been grievously injured and Rs 50,000 to those who suffered minor injuries.

A special train carrying 600 passengers of the derailed train departed from Mankapur, Uttar Pradesh.

A high-level enquiry has also been ordered in the incident. The Indian Railways started the relief operation and medical vans reached the accident site soon after the accident.

VIDEO | Police arrive at spot near Gonda railway station where few bogies of Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express derailed earlier today. pic.twitter.com/1PbazkBehm

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 18, 2024

During the initial stage of the relief operation, a 40-member medical team and 15 ambulances rushed to the spot. while more medical teams and ambulances were being sent, Relief Commissioner Kumar stated. A help desk was also set up at the Chandigarh railway station.

Passenger, Loco Pilot Claim Hearing Explosion Before Derailment

The loco pilot claimed that he heard a loud explosion before the derailment, as a result of which he had to apply emergency brakes.

A similar claim was made by a passenger who claimed to have heard a "mild explosion" after which the Dibrugarh bound train derailed.

"I had to go to Hajipur... There was a mild explosion (before the incident) and after that a strong jolt was felt and our coach derailed. We were coming from Chandigarh..." he claimed.

Confusion Over Death Toll

As the rescue operation started it was intially reported that four people had lost their lives in the train accident. UP Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak told PTI about this death toll. District Magistrate Neha Sharma confirmed the same number of casualties.

However, after five hours the authorities revised the death toll and said that there was one death.

Later, in the evening, another passenger had died while he was being taken for treatment to Lucknow, UP Relief Commissioner G S Naveen told PTI.

The deceased have been identified as Saroj Kumar Singh (31), a resident of Araria in Bihar, and Rahul (38) from Chandigarh.

As per the latest update at 11 pm, the death toll stands at three, while the total number of injured are 30.

The injured were being treated at two community health centres. Three others were being treated at the district hopsital in Gonda, while one of them referred to Lucknow.

Helpline Numbers Issued

The Indian Railways have issued the following helpline numbers following the incident:

• Commercial Control: 9957555984
• Furkating (FKG): 9957555966
• Mariani (MXN): 6001882410
• Simalguri (SLGR): 8789543798
• Tinsukia (NTSK): 9957555959
• Dibrugarh (DBRG): 9957555960

Meanwhile, the East Central Railways has also issued helpline numbers:  

- Hajipur: 8252912078
- Muzaffarpur: 8252912066
- Barauni: 8252912043
- Khagaria: 8252912031
- Naugachia: 8252912018
- Samastipur: 8102918840, 06274-232131

Parties Attack Opposition

Opposition parties including the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party attacked the centre over the accident. The Congress demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw must take responsibility of the massive lapses and the Kavach anti-collision system should be installed expeditiously on all routes. 

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the derailment of Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express is yet another instance of how the Modi government has systematically jeopardised rail safety. 

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said the news of fatalities due to the derailment in Gonda is very saddening. 

Hitting out at the centre, AAP said, "Lives of the people are being lost in train accidents continously, while Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnavi is busy making reels."

Meanwhile, UP CM Yogi Adityanath posted on X that the officials had been directed to carry out rescue operations on a war footing.

"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 proper treatment," Yogi stated.