At least seven people have died and several others were injured after eleven coaches of the Delhi-bound Seemanchal Express derailed in Bihar's Vaishali district, early this morning.
The accident took place at 3:58 am in Sahadai Buzurg. One general coach, one AC coach B3, three sleeper coaches -S8, S9, S10 and four more coaches have derailed, said East Central Railway spokesperson Rajesh Kumar.
Following the accident, all passenger trains on this route have been cancelled and a few trains including Mail Express have been diverted. "The trains have been diverted via Patna and other stations." officials quoted as saying.
A team of doctors was rushed to the accident site from nearby areas of Sonpur and Barauni. To carry out the rescue operations, accident relief train has also been moved to the site.
"Rescue and relief operations are on for derailment of 9 coaches of Jogbani-Anand Vihar Terminal Seemanchal express at Sahadai Buzurg, Bihar," the office of Piyush Goyal said in a statement.
"Railway Minister is in touch with Railway Board members and GM ECR (East Central Railways) regarding #seemanchalexpress accident...He (Piyush Goyal) has expressed profound grief over the loss of innocent lives in this tragic accident and wished speedy recovery for the injured," it said on the official Twitter handle.
The Railways has also issued help line numbers - Sonpur 06158221645, Hajipur 06224272230 and Barauni 06279232222, Patna-06122202290, 06122202291, 06122202292, 06122213234.
