Shahira Naim
Tribune News Service
Lucknow, November 20
In one of the worst rail accidents in recent years, at least 120 persons were killed and over 200 injured, half of them seriously, when 14 coaches of the Patna-bound Indore-Rajendra Nagar Express (19321) derailed near Pukhrayan station, 63 km from Kanpur, at 3.10 am today. The ill-fated weekly train was to arrive at Kanpur (Central) station at 4 am.
Survivors spoke of severe vibrations and occasional jolts inside the coaches throughout the journey. Most of them were asleep when they felt the train “shaking violently, their belongings on berths come crashing down and the train coming to an abrupt halt”.
Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha said the accident seemed to have occurred on account of a fracture in the track. But the DRM, Jhansi Division, SK Agarwal, said it was too early to reach any conclusion. He pointed out that Sabarmati Express had crossed the same track barely nine minutes prior to the accident.
Uttar Pradesh DGP Javeed Ahmad said 37 bodies had been identified — 18 victims were from UP, 10 from Madhya Pradesh, four from Bihar and one each from Gujarat and Maharashtra.
The accident site presented a ghastly sight — smashed bogies upside down, some piled on top of others. Benumbed survivors searched for their loved ones and co-passengers amid bags, clothes, water bottles and shoes strewn all over.
Four ordinary sleeper coaches — S1, S2, S3, S4 — were badly damaged. The S1 and S2 coaches seemed one. Most of the dead were travelling in these two coaches. Several AC-III tier coaches were damaged too.
The interiors of the less-affected coaches also bore hallmarks of the tragedy with bedsheets, blankets, food and bags lying scattered.
For well over 15 hours, teams of the Kanpur administration, the NDRF, the Army and the Railways worked in tandem to cut open the mangled coaches and rescue those trapped inside. To prevent looting by anti-social elements, the accident site was barricaded.
Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu, Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan and UP minister Balwant Singh Ramoowalia visited the accident site as also the injured in hospitals.
Worst train accidents in three decades
- Nov 20, 2016: 120 passengers killed and more than 200 injured as 14 coaches of Indore-Patna Express derail near Pukhrayan in Kanpur Dehat district of Uttar Pradesh
- May 28, 2010: 148 killed as Gyaneshwari Express derailed by Naxals in West Midnapore district of West Bengal
- Sept 9, 2002: 100 killed, 150 hurt as a bogie of Howrah-Delhi Rajdhani Express plunges into Dhave river in Bihar’s Aurangabad district
- Aug 2, 1999: 290 passengers killed as two trains carrying more than 2,500 people collide at Gaisal in Assam
- Nov 26, 1998: 212 killed as Jammu Tawi-Sealdah Express collides with derailed coaches of Frontier Mail near Khanna in Punjab
- Sept 14, 1997: 81 dead as 5 bogies of Ahmedabad-Howrah train fall into river in Bilaspur, MP
- Aug 20, 1995: 400 killed as Puroshottam Express rams into Kalindi Express near Firozabad railway station in Uttar Pradesh
- April 18, 1988: 75 killed as Karnataka Express derails near Lalitpur in Uttar Pradesh
- July 8, 1988: 107 killed as the Island Express plunges into Ashtamudi lake in Kerala
Safety feature missing
- Casualties increased due to absence of modern Linke Holfmann Busch (LHB) coaches in the train, sources said
- Had there been stainless steel LHB coaches, damage could have been less as these coaches have more in-built safety features
- These can absorb shock and impact of derailment more effectively and as a result do not topple, they said
Politics over relief?
- The PM announced ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for the family of the deceased, Rs 50,000 for the injured
- Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu: Rs 3.5 lakh each for the kin of the dead, Rs 50,000 for the seriously injured & Rs 25,000 for those with minor injuries
- UP CM Akhilesh Yadav: Rs 5 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased, Rs 50,000 for the seriously hurt & Rs 25,000 for those with minor injuries
- MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan: Rs 2 lakh each for the family of the deceased & Rs 50,000 for the injured
- Bihar CM Nitish Kumar: Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of those killed & Rs 50, 000 for those seriously injured
Most bodies beyond recognition
Most of those killed in the train disaster have been crushed, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) said. NDRF spokesperson Krishna Kumar said: “Most of the bodies taken out from the coaches are beyond recognition as they are badly crushed.”
Anguished beyond words
Anguished beyond words on the loss of lives. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. Prayers with those injured. — Narendra Modi, Prime Minister
Kanpur MP smells a plot
The Kanpur derailment is a plot against the Union Government and the Railway Ministry should look into this angle. — Murli Manohar Joshi, Kanpur MP
Will ascertain mishap cause
Inquiry team will start investigation for cause of accident immediately. All necessary assistance provided to the affected. — Suresh Prabhu, Railway Minister
BJP, PM’s good days over
It is the BSP’s firm belief that the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s good days are over, and bad days will be coming soon. — Mayawati, BSP president
PR work in name of safety
The govt had assured Parliament they are spending huge on rail safety, but this accident has shown that only PR job is being done. — Mohd Salim, CPM leader