Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express Accident: In another tragic incident, around six coaches of Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express derailed near Gonda in Uttar Pradesh. Three people died in the accident while 30 passengers are said to be injured. Earlier, the railways confirmed two deaths but later a seriously injured passenger succumbed to the injury. The accident took place around 2.40 pm. The six derailed coaches include at least four AC coaches. The accident happened near the Jhilahi station. The 600 passengers of the trains were dispatched towards their destination in a special trains almost six hours later.
#WATCH | Gonda Train Derailment | Visuals of the Dibrugarh-Chandigarh Express which derailed in Uttar Pradesh’s Gonda today.
As per Gonda DM, two people have died and around 20 are injured in the incident. pic.twitter.com/xQ76a4qWXh
— ANI (@ANI) July 18, 2024
The driver of the train made a shocking claim saying that he heard a loud noise before the derailment. This raises suspicion on hand of anti-social elements in the train derailment. However, the truth will be out only after an inquiry.
Relief and rescue work is being done by #sdrf_up team in District-Gonda 15904 Chandigarh Express train accident. pic.twitter.com/VSyHj3cI1r — SDRF UTTAR PRADESH (@sdrf_up) July 18, 2024
The train was enroute to Dibrugarh. A contingent of army jawans has reached at the site to help the local administration with a rescue operation. According to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister’s Office, CM Yogi Adityanath has taken cognizance of the train accident in the Gonda district. He directed the officials to reach the spot immediately and expedite the relief work. He also instructed for proper treatment of the injured.
As per the instructions of Chief Minister Adityanath, one team of NDRF has been dispatched from Lucknow and Balrampur to Gonda. Five ambulances have been deployed for relief and rescue operations at the site of the train accident. Additionally, orders have been given to send more ambulances to the spot. A team of doctors is present at the site, providing first aid to the injured. The injured are also being shifted to the hospital.
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.
Pray to Lord Shri Ram for the speedy recovery of the injured… — Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) July 18, 2024
The Relief Commissioner has dispatched an SDRF team from three districts to expedite the relief operations.
Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma has been briefed about the derailment of the Dibrugarh – Chandigarh express. He is monitoring the situation and the Government of Assam is in touch with relevant authorities, said the Assam Chief Minister’s Office.
Reacting to the Dibrugarh-Chandigarh express derailment, Pankaj Singh, CPRO, North Eastern Railway said, “Medical van of Railways has reached the spot and rescue operation has been started. Helpline numbers have been issued. It happened around 2.37 pm.”
Indian Railways Helpline
The Indian Railways has issued helplines for the passengers and their families. The numbers are 0361-2731621, 0361-2731622, and 0361-2731623. The Lucknow division of North Eastern Railways has also issued helpline numbers which are as follow: Commercial Control – 9957555984, Furkating (FKG): 9957555966, Mariani (MXN): 6001882410, Simalguri (SLGR): 8789543798, Tinsukia (NTSK): 9957555959 and Dibrugarh (DBRG): 9957555960.
The train derailment came a month after Kanchanjunga train accident in West Bengal. At least 11 people had died and more than 40 were injured in the accident that took place after a goods train collided with the stationary Kanchanjunga Express.