At least four people were killed as five coaches and the engine of the New Farakka Express (14003) derailed near Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday, Northern Railway Divisional Railway Manager Satish Kumar said.
The accident took place near Harchandpur in Rae Bareli district at around 6.05 am, he said. A team of doctors in an Accident Relief Medical Van has been rushed to the site in Lucknow and emergency helpline numbers have been set up at the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya junction, Mughalsarai, officials said. All up and down lines on the route have been blocked and officials suspect that the number of casualties may rise.
Meanwhile, sources said Chairman Railway Board Ashwani Lohani was on his way to the accident site. Taking note of the incident, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed the district magistrate, the superintendent of police, health authorities and the NDRF to provide all possible assistance to relief and rescue operations, an official spokesman said. The CM expressed his condolences for the deceased and directed to the director general of police to take all necessary action, he added.