Kankavli (Dist Sindhudurg), June 24: Massive rescue and salvage operations were underway in pouring rains today between Vaibhavwadi and Rajapur stations, where the Karwar-Mumbai holiday special derailed due to landslide on Sunday night, even as the toll in the first major rail disaster on Konkan Railway network rose to 51. The victims include nine children and six women.

At least 30 persons were injured, 15 of them seriously, when the engine of the ill-fated train derailed after a landslide which resulted in telescoping of four bogies over each other.
The authorities were hopeful of clearing the tracks and restoring traffic only by tomorrow as incessant rains were making rescue operations difficult.
At the time of mishap the train was moving at a speed of 75 kms per hour. The engine hit a boulder and derailed. The general compartment, just behind the guard's cabin was the worst-affected as the next three coaches jumped over it.
The task of identifying dead bodies as well as those seriously wounded became difficult as most of the casualties were from the general compartment.
Chief Medical Officer of Konkan Railway (KR) Dr V R Vatsal said most of the victims suffered multiple injuries. The injured have been admitted to various hospitals at Kankavli, Oros, Rajapur and Goa Medical College in Panaji.

Bureau Report