20 Coaches Of Sabarmati Express Derail Near Kanpur, Driver Says 'External Object' Hit Engine: Video

At least 20 coaches of Sabarmati Express derailed near Kanpur after a boulder struck it on Saturday morning. There was no casualty or injury in the incident.

At least 20 coaches of the Sabarmati Express passenger train, en route from Varanasi to Gujarat's Ahmedabad, derailed near Kanpur railway station in Uttar Pradesh in the early hours of Saturday. The incident occurred in a block section between Kanpur and Bhimsen station as the train was travelling to Jhansi.

According to North Central Railway, Sabarmati Express 19168 derailed after striking a boulder. Fortunately, no casualty or injury was reported in the incident. 

In the video of the accident site shared by news agency ANI, it can be seen that the wheels of one side of the coaches were derailed from the railway track, but fortunately, the train was not overturned.

However, the rail route has been disrupted due to which, at least seven trains were cancelled and three diverted. Indian Railways has, meanwhile, dispatched buses to the location to facilitate the passengers' transfer to Kanpur.

From Kanpur station, the passengers will be sent onward by a special train, NDTV reported quoting a police officer. As per the report, fire trucks and ambulances were also dispatched to the accident site, and a thorough inspection of the train was done. 

Citing the driver, news agency ANI reported that a boulder is believed to have struck the engine, causing significant damage to the engine's cattle guard.

Confirming the development, North Central Railway GM Upendra Chandra Joshi said, "The driver of the Sabarmati Express train informed us that the train was hit by an external object. That is a matter of investigation...Passengers have already left for their destinations...The restoration process is underway...Only one line has been affected which is being restored."

Railway Minister Reacts

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw reacted to the incident and said that the engine of Sabarmati Express hit an object placed on the track and derailed near Kanpur at 02:35 am today.

“Sharp hit marks are observed. Evidence is protected. IB and UP police are also working on it. No injuries to passengers or staff. Train arranged for passengers for onward journey to Ahmedabad,” he wrote in a post on X.

Passengers Share Ordeal

The passengers were sleeping when the train stopped after a loud noise. "Shortly after the train departed from the Kanpur railway station, we heard a loud noise and the coach started shaking. I got very scared but the train stopped," one of the passengers Vikas told news agency PTI.

Vikas, who boarded the train from Varanasi and was headed for Ahmedabad, said that the train was moving at a very slow speed when it got derailed.

As the train halted, the passengers started pouring out of their coaches. The majority of them sat near the railway track waiting for help and called their family members to inform them about the incident. The police came almost an hour after the incident.

"We are waiting with our luggage on the side of the adjacent railway track," said another passenger. 

Emergency Helpline Issued

Meanwhile, emergency helpline numbers have been issued for the concerned stations--Prayagraj Junction railway station-- 0532-2408128, 0532-2407353, 0532-2408149; Kanpur Central Railway Station: 0512-2323018, 0512-2323016, 0512-23230152; Mirzapur Railway Station: 0544-22200973; Fatehpur Railway Station: 73929646224; Naini Junction Railway Station: 0532-26972525; Chunar Junction railway: 88403778936; Etawah Junction Railway Station: 75250012497; Hathras Junction Railway Station: 75250013368; Phaphund Railway Station: 7505720185.