Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge calls for accountability in wake of North-East Express train Derailmentdin Bihar

File Photo/PTI

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge Thursday extended his sympathies to the families of the victims in the wake of the recent derailment of the Assam-bound North-East Express train. This accident occurred late Wednesday evening.

Recalling a similar incident that happened in June in Odisha's Balasore, Kharge emphasized the need to hold the Railway Ministry and the Central Government accountable in cases like these.

Kharge, noting that over 100 people were injured in the train derailment that transpired on Wednesday night, posted in Hindi on X, saying, "The news of the North-East Express derailing in Buxar, Bihar, while travelling from New Delhi to Assam is deeply distressing. Many lives have been lost, and more than 100 individuals have been injured in this tragic accident. We offer our heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and pray for the swift recovery of the injured."

Kharge added, "This marks the second significant derailment incident after the Balasore train accident in June 2023. It is imperative to establish accountability within the Railway Ministry and the Central Government."

Kharge also called on Congress workers to provide any possible assistance to the victims.

Also read: Bihar train accident fall-out: 10 trains cancelled, 21 diverted

The incident took place on the 12506 North-East Express, which was en route from Anand Vihar Terminal in New Delhi to Kamakhya near Guwahati in Assam. The derailment occurred at 9:35 PM near Raghunathpur station, within the Danapur division of the East Central Railway in Bihar's Buxar.

AK Sinha, the Station Superintendent of Kamakhya Railway Station, announced, "Kamakhya Railway Station has established a helpline: 0361-267-4857. All necessary information is available on this helpline."

Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed that evacuation and rescue operations had been successfully completed. He posted on X, saying, "Evacuation and rescue operations are now complete. All coaches have been inspected. Passengers will soon be transferred to a special train for their onward journey."

This accident occurred slightly over four months after a tragic triple train collision in Odisha's Balasore district in June, which resulted in 296 fatalities. On June 20, 2023, three trains - the Coromandel Express, a goods train, and the SMVT Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express - collided. 176 individuals suffered severe injuries, 451 sustained minor injuries, and 180 received initial medical attention. (With inputs from ANI)