Uttar Pradesh: 8 coaches of Kaifiyat Express derail; 74 injured

New Delhi: In second train accident in past five days in Uttar Pradesh, eight coaches of Azamgarh-Delhi Kaifiyat Express (Train No. 12225) derailed near Auraiya district in the wee hours of Wednesday, leaving 74 injured, confirmed Principal Secretary (Home) Arvind Kumar.

The accident took place at around 2.40 am following a collision with a loaded dumper between Achalda and Pata railway stations, enroute to Delhi from Azamgarh. The collision took place near the manned crossing gate number 14. According to the sources, the dumper was allegedly on an unauthorised route.

As per the latest update, a total of 74 passengers have suffered minor injuries of which four are in critical condition. Confirming the same, Kumar said the rescue operations are over and no casualties have been reported.

The passengers with minor injuries have been sent to the Achalda civil hospital, while two each of the critical ones have been referred to Etawah and Saifai.

Informing about personally monitoring the situation, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu, in a series of tweets, said, "A dumper hit the locomotive of the Kaifiyat Express,resulting in derailment of coaches."

"Some passengers have received injuries and have been shifted to nearby hospitals. I am personally monitoring situation, rescue operations," he added.

"Have directed senior officers to reach the site immediately," he concluded.

According to the official sources, the concerned railway officials, including SDM Bidhuna and Kanpur IG Alok Singh, had reached to the spot to personally monitor the situation. A medical train and a relief train had also been dispatched to the accident site from Allahabad and Kanpur.

Half-a-dozen ambulances had been dispatched to take the injured to the hospital.

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE | Delhi Railway Division control responsible for Utkal derailment

It may be recalled that earlier on Saturday Haridwar-bound Utkal Express had derailed in Muzaffarnagar's Khatauli area around 5:50 pm on August 19. The accident had left 24 dead and more than 200 injured. Faulty tracks and high speed was cited as the reason behind the derailment.

Helpline Numbers:

Faizabad: 05278-222603, Shahgunj: 9794839010, Lucknow: 9794830975, Lucknow Helpline - 0522-2237677, KO: 0522-2237677

Saifai Mini PGI has also released emergency control room number - 05688-276566

Checkout the other important numbers in the tweet of Uttar pradesh Police:

https://twitter.com/Uppolice/status/900134551908896768

Due to the derailment, Pata-Achalda up and down lines are completely down, while dozens of trains have been cancelled and many have been diverted. Checkout the lists here: