Two dead, over 100 injured as Muri Express derails in UP; Prabhu announces Rs 2 lakhs ​ex-gratia for kin of dead

Lucknow: At least two people were killed and over 100 injured after eight coaches of the Ranchi-Jammu Tawi Muri Express derailed in Uttar Pradesh`s Kaushambi district on Monday afternoon, officials said.

The accident occurred at around 2 pm between the Sirathu and Athsarai railway stations in the Allahabad-Kanpur sector of the rail zone on the busy Delhi-Howrah route.

Three general sleeper coaches - S5, S6, S7 - and three air-conditioned coaches - three-tier B1 and B2 and two-tier A1 - along with the pantry car derailed while one coach capsized and fell in a ditch nearby, a district official said.

Medical teams have been dispatched from Allahabad even as local villagers from nearby areas are at the forefront of rescue efforts. The  district administration has also been accused of being slow in responding to the crisis even when the accident site is just two kilometres from a busy highway.

Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Daljeet Chowdhary said senior police officials have been sent to the accident site. 

According to sources, 40 `keys` of the rail track had gone missing from the same spot on Sunday and police were apprised about the discovery by villagers, said sources.

Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu has offered condolences to the affected persons in the train accident and directed senior to go to the site.

MR @sureshpprabhu offers condolences to the affected persons in the unfortunate train accident. CRB & other officers directed to go to site. — Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) May 25, 2015

Prabhu also ordered immediate action on anyone found responsible of dereliction of duty.

MR @sureshpprabhu orders inquiry into this accident; immediate action to be taken if any dereliction of duty is found; announces ex gratia. — Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) May 25, 2015

He also announced ex-gratia pament of Rs 2,00,000 for those who lost their lives and Rs 50,000 for those that sustained grievous injuries. Those with simple injuries will be provided Rs 20,000 help.

Ex gratia- Rs 2,00,000 for those who have lost their lives; Rs 50,000 for having sustained grievous injuries ;Rs 20,000 for simple injuries. — Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) May 25, 2015

Earlier, Uttar Pradesh government also offered assistance to those affected.

#UPCM @yadavakhilesh announces Rs2lakh as exgratia for kaushambi train accident & instructs @ChiefSecyUP to provide all assistance. — CM Office, GoUP (@CMOfficeUP) May 25, 2015

As a result of the accident, Allahabad-Kanpur Intercity Express, Sangam Express and Anand Vihar Terminus-Kolkata Express have been cancelled, North Central Railway PRO Amit Malaviya said.

Railways has rushed in relief and rescue team to Sirathu in Kaushambi and a relief train and medical team have also been sent to the site of the mishap for carrying out rescue operations.

---

Helpline Numbers

Helpline nos at Allahbad- 0532-1072; at Kanpur - 0512-2322015/16/18; at TATA-0657-2290324; at Jammutawi- 0191-2470116; — Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) May 25, 2015

Helpline nos. at New Delhi- 011-23962389/77480/77933 ; at Ranchi- 0651-2461404, 0651- 2460488 — Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) May 25, 2015