Taking cognisance of the mishap, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath directed the officials to expedite the rescue operations while direction on proper medical attention has been given as well. Indian Railways issued several helpline numbers as a measure of emergency response while several helpdesks have been set up as well.
In a tragic accident, eight coaches of the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express derailed in the Gonda district of Uttar Pradesh on Thursday killed at least 2 people while over thhirt others sustained injuries. According to police, the derailment took place between Motiganj and Jhilahi railway stations.
CM yogi reviews situation: Taking cognisance of the mishap, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath directed the officials to expedite the rescue operations while direction on proper medical attention were given as well.
Ex-gratia announced: An ex gratia of Rs. 10 lakhs to the family of the deceased, Rs 2.5 lakhs for grievous injury and Rs. 50,000 to the minor injured, has been announced.
Helpline numbers issued: Indian Railways issued several helpline numbers as a measure of emergency response. The numbers are: Commercial Control: 9957555984, Furkating (FKG): 9957555966, Mariani (MXN): 6001882410, Simalguri (SLGR): 8789543798, Tinsukia (NTSK): 9957555959, Dibrugarh (DBRG): 9957555960.
Medical teams on spot: A 40-member medical team and 15 ambulances reached the spot and more medical teams and ambulances were being sent, Relief Commissioner Kumar said during the initial stage of the relief operation. Ambulances and medical teams were rushed to the spot between Motiganj and Jhilahi railway stations, about 150 km from the state capital, as news of the derailment came in.
Rescue operation: Bad weather affected the rescue operation for a while, but police and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) completed the task in a few hours. In the evening, UP Relief Commissioner G S Naveen said the operation was over and nobody was trapped in the coaches.
Union Minister visited spot: Union minister and local MP Kirti Vardhan Singh visited the accident spot. “Since this train was going to Dibrugarh from Chandigarh, a special train has left from Gorakhpur to carry the passengers to their destination. The train will stop at Mankapur railway station, and buses have been arranged to take passengers to the railway station," Singh told PTI.
Inquiry ordered: Railway's technical team will investigate the cause of the accident. The Railway Ministry said a high level inquiry has been ordered, apart from the probe by the Commission of Railway Safety.