3 die as Goa-Bihar train derails in UP

Lucknow, November 24

Three passengers were killed and nine others injured when 13 coaches of the Patna-bound Vasco Da Gama Express derailed at Manikpur railway station in Chitrakoot district of Bundelkhand early on Friday.

Railway Minister Piyush Goyal has ordered an inquiry.

The accident took place at 4.22 am on platform No. 2 of the railway station where 13 coaches — S-3 to S-11, two general and three others — of Vasco Da Gama Express derailed.

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ADG-Allahabad Zone SN Sawat said two of the three deceased had been identified as Ram Swarup Patel and son Dipak Patel of Betia in West Champaran district of Bihar. The third passenger who succumbed to his injuries was yet to be identified.

ADG-Law and Order Anand Kumar said prima facie a rupture in the tracks seemed to be the cause of the accident.

The UP Government has asked the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) to probe the accident, the ADG said.

Some survivors blamed the railway staff for the derailment. They alleged that they had heard “unusual sounds” from a coach after the train left the Satna railway station. They had brought it to the notice of the guard and the TTE, but to no avail.

The Railway Minister has announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the family of the deceased, Rs 1 lakh for those with grievous injuries and Rs 50,000 for the injured. UP CM Yogi Adityanath also announced  Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased passengers. — TNS