Patna-Indore Express derails near Pukhrayan in Kanpur; 63 dead, over 150 injured, probe ordered

At least 14 coaches of Patna-Indore Express derailed near Pukharayan town of Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur in the wee hours of Sunday, leaving at least 63 people dead and scores injured.

Pic courtesy: ANI

Lucknow: At least 14 coaches of Patna-Indore Express derailed near Pukharayan town of Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur in the wee hours of Sunday, leaving at least 63 people dead and over 150 injured.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today expressed his deep condolences to the kith and kin of the victims and assured them of all possible help. PM Modi also directed Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu to personally monitor the situation closely.

Anguished beyond words on the loss of lives due to the derailing of the Patna-Indore Express. My thoughts are with the bereaved families.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 20, 2016

Calling the Patna-Indore Express train mishap as ''unfortunate incident'', Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan too expressed his condolences to the bereaved families.

The Ministry of Railways has, meanwhile, ordered a probe into the incident.  

All rescue relief work on to deal with unfortunate accident. All medical and other help rushed.Enquiry ordered. Situation monitored closely

— Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) November 20, 2016

Due to the mishap, routes of several trains have been diverted. Trains which have been diverted are - Jhansi-Lucknow Intercity, train no 12542, 12522,12541, 12534. Meanwhile, Jhansi-Kanpur Passenger train has been cancelled.

Death toll has risen to 63 after Patna-Indore Express train derailed near Kanpur, said UP ADG (Law and Order) Daljeet Singh Choudhary. 

According to available information, 14 coaches of Patna-Indore Express, which derailed this morning are: seating-cum-luggage rake, GS, GS, A1, B1, B2, B3, BE, S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav had directed the DGP to personally monitor the relief operations after 14 coaches of Patna-Indore Express derailed near Kanpur.

News agency ANI had earlier claimed that the death toll will rise. The mishap occurred around 3 am in the morning. 

#SpotVisuals 14 coaches of Patna-Indore express derails near Pukharayan (Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh); medical team rushed to the spot pic.twitter.com/fkWEdNS5X1

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) November 20, 2016

Medical teams were immediately rushed to the spot to help the victims and relief and rescue work is currently underway. 

Confirming the development, Indian Railways spokesperson Anil Saxena initially said, ''14 coaches of Indore-Patna Express have derailed near Kanpur. However, we are yet to confirm the number of casualties; rescue operations are underway.''  

Top railway officials have also reached the spot to take stock of the situation. 

Senior officials and medical teams have been rushed to the spot. We are in contact with the district officials, he added.

Buses have been pressed into service to help passengers complete their journey, Northern Central Railways spokesperson Vijay Kumar said.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has instructed Director General of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) OP Singh to rush NDRF teams to Pukhrayan.

On Friday, nine coaches of the Bhatinda-Jodhpur passenger train derailed in which a dozen passengers were injured in Rajasthan’s Sriganganagar district.

Meanwhile, the Railways have also issued helpline numbers for any information related to the mishap:- Jhansi-05101072, Orai-051621072, Kanpur-05121072, Pokhrayan-05113-270239.