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35 killed, 200 injured as Kalka Mail derails

Posted on: 10/Jul/2011 11:28:14 PM
 At least 35 people were killed and over 200 injured when 15 bogies of a speeding Delhi-bound Kalka Mail derailed here today in the worst train accident this year. 

The derailment took place at 12.20 PM when the packed train from Howrah reached near Malwa station, nearly 120 kms from Lucknow.

"15 bogies of the train derailed out of which 10 are in bad shape. The exact cause of the derailment is being ascertained. The Commissioner of Railway Safety has been directed to probe the incident," General Manager, North Central Railway H C Joshi said. He said the train was speeding at about 108 kmph when the accident occurred.

The Chief Medical Officer of Fatehpur Govt hospital said that 35 of the passengers had died and about 200 injured are undergoing treatment here.

Locals, railway and district authorities immediately launched the rescue operation. The army has also sent about 120 personnel from adjoining Allahabad and Kanpur to assist them. A team of National Disaster Relief Force was also deployed.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has expressed deep sorrow and shock at the loss of lives in the rail accident and directed the Railway Ministry to deploy all available resources in the area for rescue and relief operations. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati announced a compensation of Rs one lakh each to the kin of those who died, Rs 50,000 to seriously injured and Rs 25,000 for those suffering minor injuries.