Disaster relief personnel help rail accident victims in West Bengal

New Delhi, July 19 (ANI): Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Monday deployed five teams of National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) consisting of 140 personnel to assist in the rescue and relief operations following the train accident at Sainthia in West Bengal's Birbhum District.

Three teams have already reached the site and the remaining two will be reaching soon.eanwhile, the Army sent a 167-member team of doctors, engineers and technical specialists to help rescue operations.

According to sources a team of seven Army officers and 170 jawans left for the site following a request from the West Bengal and railway administrations.

Meanwhile, the Air Force has kept one Mi-17 helicopter on standby each at its Barrackpore and Kalaikunda stations.

The speeding Sealdah-bound Uttar Banga Express rammed into the stationary Bhagalpur-Ranchi Vananchal Express fat its rear at Sainthia station at around 1.50 in the morning. The Uttarbanga Express had overshot a signal.

Three rear compartments of the Vananchal Express bore the brunt of the impact and were completely mangled.

About 175 bottles of blood are being rushed from neighbouring hospitals to the hospitals in Rampurhat and Shiuri where the injured have been admitted.

An inquiry headed by the Commissioner of Railway Safety has been ordered into the incident.

Railway authorities have opened several helpline numbers and control rooms in Sealdah, Malda, Bhagalpur and Howrah.

Helpline numbers: Ranchi: 0651-2600263/64, 2460488, 2461404 -- Sealdah: 033-23503535, 23503537, -- Malda: 06436-222061 -- Bhagalpur: 06412-4222433 -- Jamalpur 063444-3101. (ANI)