Bikaner-Guwahati Express Train Accident: Toll Rises To 8; Everything We Know About The Tragedy

At least eight persons were killed and over 40 others injured, including 13 critically ill, after 12 coaches of the Bikaner-Guwahati Express derailed Thursday evening near the New Domohani station in West Bengal¡¯s Jalpaiguri district, officials said.

The accident of Bikaner-Guwahati Express train took place at 4:53 pm about 42 km from the New Jalpaiguri station, on a section between the New Domohani and New Maynaguri stations, officials said.

ANI

Dead were found lying on both sides of the track

Guwahati-based Northeast Frontier Railway said in a statement that there were 1,053 passengers onboard the train headed to the city from Rajasthan¡¯s Bikaner via Patna in Bihar.

According to officials at the spot, some coaches toppled from the track and one coach was found on top of another. Several of the dead and injured were found lying on both sides of the track, while others were found stuck inside a mangled coach, they said.

PTI

Here's everything we know so far:

1) A high-level probe has been ordered into the tragedy. An inquiry headed by Commissioner, Railway Safety has been ordered into the cause of the accident.

2) An ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh has been announced for the kin of the deceased, Rs 1 lakh for those who receive grievous injuries and Rs 25,000 for those who suffer simple injuries.

3) Of the injured, 28 were admitted to Jalpaiguri district hospital and 7 were sent to Moynaguri government hospital. Seven critical passengers were shifted to the North Bengal Medical College in Siliguri, Jalpaiguri District Magistrate Moumita Godara Basu told India Today.

ANI

4) This is the first major rail accident involving fatalities since the derailment of Seemanchal Express in February 2019 in Bihar where six people lost their lives.

5) Detailing the rescue operations, officials said essential equipment, including cranes and gas cutters, have been deployed at the site while medical equipment and a relief train to transport stranded passengers have been sent. Two teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and several Railways and district administration officials have rushed to the spot, they said.

6) Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that he spoke to Vaishnaw ¡°and took stock of the situation¡±. ¡°My thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover quickly,¡± Modi posted. Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said he will visit the accident site today and he is personally monitoring the situation.

Spoke to Railways Minister Shri @AshwiniVaishnaw and took stock of the situation in the wake of the train accident in West Bengal. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover quickly.

¡ª Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 13, 2022

7) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who reportedly came to know of the incident during a virtual meeting of CMs with the Prime Minister, said the state government is monitoring the situation closely.

Deeply concerned to hear about the tragic accident of the Bikaner-Guwahati Express in Maynaguri.
Senior Officers of the State Government, DM/SP/IG North Bengal are supervising rescue and relief operations. Those injured will receive medical attention, as early as possible.

¡ª Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) January 13, 2022

Speaking to ANI about the tragedy, Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy said, "It is suspected that there was a crack on track, it should be investigated. The Railway Minister should give a clear statement on the incident."

8) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said he has been in touch with Banerjee as well as Vaishnaw. ¡°I spoke to Hon¡¯ble West Bengal CM Smt @MamataOfficial ji to inquire about the Bikaner-Guwahati Express mishap. She assured to provide all help & assistance on ground and also keep us posted on the ongoing situation. I thank her for offering all her support to the victims,¡± he tweeted.

ANI

9) Following the accident, Guwahati-Howrah Saraighat Express, Kamakhya-Anand Vihar Express and New Delhi-Guwahati Express were among the trains that were diverted through alternative routes.

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