Four coaches of the AC compartment of Chandigarh-Dibrugarh express had derailed a few kilometres shy of the Jhilani railway station.
Passengers on the site of derailment/ Screengrab
On Thursday, at least four coaches of the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express derailed near Gonda in Uttar Pradesh, killing four people and injuring 20. Brajesh Pathak, Uttar Pradesh's Deputy Chief Minister, confirmed the killings and claimed the incident occurred in Gonda district. Relief Commissioner GS Naveen Kumar stated that 20 individuals were hurt in the tragedy, reported PTI.
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A 40-person medical team and 15 ambulances are currently on the scene, with more on their way. Rescue activities are overseen by senior railway and local administrative personnel.
Meanwhile, visuals from the scene showed passengers alighting from the train as they retrieved whatever goods they could. Several are seen huddled around the derailed coach and some were seated on the sleepers along the route with their luggage.
VIDEO | A few bogies of Dibrugarh Express derailed near UP's Gonda railway station earlier today. Details awaited. pic.twitter.com/DxIcgMaRzI
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 18, 2024
The derailment happened around 2:35 pm, according to railway officials. The Indian Railways has initiated relief operations, and medical vans have arrived at the accident site.
Helpline numbers have been established to assist affected families:
Gonda: 8957400965
Lucknow;8957409292
Railway Board:
Commercial Control: 9957555984
Furkating (FKG): 9957555966
Mariani (MXN): 6001882410
Simalguri (SLGR): 8789543798
Tinsukia (NTSK): 9957555959
Dibrugarh (DBRG): 9957555960
In regard with the derailment of 15904 Dibrugarh Express in Lucknow division of North Eastern Railway, the helpline numbers are issued. pic.twitter.com/pe3CECrnmf
— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) July 18, 2024
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed local authorities to provide immediate assistance to the affected passengers and ensure proper medical treatment for those injured.
जनपद गोण्डा में हुई ट्रेन दुर्घटना अत्यंत दुःखद है।
— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) July 18, 2024
जिला प्रशासन के अधिकारियों को युद्ध स्तर पर राहत एवं बचाव कार्य संचालित करने और घायलों को शीर्ष प्राथमिकता के साथ अस्पताल पहुंचाकर उनके समुचित उपचार के लिए निर्देश दिए हैं।
प्रभु श्री राम से घायलों के शीघ्र स्वास्थ्य लाभ हेतु…
"The train accident in Gonda district is extremely sad. District administration officials have been directed to carry out relief and rescue operations on a war footing and to take the injured to the hospital on top priority and provide them with proper treatment. I pray to Lord Shri Ram for the speedy recovery of the injured," CM Yogi had written in his social media post.