Mandore Express derails, seven dead

Jaipur, Nov 14 (ANI): The Delhi-bound Mandore Express which was on its way from Jodhpur to Delhi derailed this morning with some portion of the track penetrating its AC compartment, leaving seven passengers dead and over 40 injured at Banskho, 40 kilometers from here.

Fifteen coaches of the train derailed at 1:30 a.m., after the train left the Pink City, said sources from the North West Railway.

Following the derailment, a segment of the tracks pierced the AC compartment and probably hit the passengers, they said.

Welders are being use to remove the iron rods.

While three of the dead have been identified as Sonal Singh (18) of New Delhi, S Kumar of Jodhpur and Ujjawal Vadhwa (27) of Jaipur.

The other three bodies are yet to be recognized.

Nineteen of the injured, including a New Zealand national Ana Elizabeth, have been admitted to the Sawai Mansingh Hospital here.

State-owned buses have been pressed into service to take the passengers to their destination.

Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced an exgratia of Rs 5 lakh to the family of those killed.

A sum of Rs one lakh would be given to the critically injured and Rs 10,000 to passengers who have received trivial injuries, said the Spokesperson of North West Railway.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also declared a recompense of Rs two lakh to the family of the dead and Rs one lakh to those seriously injured.

A sum of Rs 50,000 will be given to those who have received minor injuries.

West Zone Railway Protection Commissioner Prashant Kumar and GM NWR R M Verma visited the accident site.

Following this mishap, the routes of twelve trains have been changed including the New Delhi-Ajmer Shatabdi express.

The slow speed of the train fortunately reduced the number of casualties.

A relief train from Delhi is on its way to the location. (ANI)