6 bodies recovered, rescue on

Latehar,Jharkhand, Jan 13 (UNI) Bodies of six people, believed to be coal thieves travelling unauthorisedly in a coal-laden goods train, were recovered so far and nine others received injuries after the train fell into a river near Hehegada Railway Station in the district yesterday.

Divisional Railway Manager Ajay Shukla today confirmed the death of six and said more might be trapped in the guard's coach for which rescue operation was on.

Railway traffic was disrupted following the accident but by this afternoon one line was cleared, official monitoring rescue operation said adding effort was on to clear the second track.

As the train derailed yesterday between Hehegarha and Kumundih stations at about 1545 hrs the driver, assistant driver and guard were injured. Six others who were injured were all unauthoised travellers ''with a mission to steal coal'', sources said.

According to authorities, among the six bodies recovered so far none was railway employee.

Railway Protection Force, Government Railway Police along with villagers carried out the rescue operation. Senior railway officials, including divisional rail manager of Dhanbad division, has rushed to the spot.

The goods train was going to Panipat in Hariyana from Rai station in Hazaibagh, railway officials said adding the engine and three other bogies, including the guard's bogey, fell into the Kasba river.

UNI