Photo: NDTV
10 passengers were killed when the Bengaluru-Ernakulam Express derailed. Four coaches and the engine of this train went off track due to unknown reasons.
The train thwarted at Belagondapalli near Anekal on Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border this morning.
The derailed coaches include two AC chair cars and tow non- AC chair cars, railways sources said.
They also said that the the cause of the derailment was yet to be determined.
Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said that he personally checked up on the accident and is in touch with the state and local administration.
He tweeted,”Charirman rail board, chief medical DG, members rail board ordered to rush to site. Exgratia to be given ASAP. Accident relief medical van on(the way).”
“Condolences to all the unfortunate members of the families who lost lives. Directed to provide best possible medical care to the injured.” he added.
“I am on my way to Bangalore to visit accident site to help all stranded. All possible help will be rendered to families affected.” he tweeted around 11 am.
More than 70 passengers were injured in this accident. The Anekal police have said that 10 bodies have been retrieved from the toppled coaches of the train and the number is expected to up as several passengers were still trapped in the coaches.
Ambulances from both the states were rushed to the spot.
Spokesperson of the Indian Railways, Anil Saxena said,”A boulder hitting is suspected that have caused the accident. Our officers are on the spot and they are looking (in)to the matter. The accidental reilef train has been dispatched. We will not be able to confirm the number of casualties as of now.
A passenger in coach D10 said,”The train started at 6:30 am from Bangalore city and at 7:30 am we realised that thr bogies were tilting towards the right. I fell off the berth. Most people were sleeping. By the time we escaped out, coach D8 toppled over D9 and maximum casualties happened in D8 . Police and Ambulance reached agter half and hour or else we could have saved more lives. About 11 coaches were derailed.”
The Railway has set up the following helpline numbers:
09731666751, 0802237116, 048421003117, 0471-2321237
Thiruvananthapuram: 0471-2321205, 2321237, 09746769960
Ernakulam junction: 0484-2100317, 0813699773, 09539336040
Eranakulam town: 0484-2398200
Thrissur: 04872424148, 2430060
South-western railway helpline numbers: 09731666751 and 080-22371166
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