Train Derailment in UP: Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express Incident Leaves 3 Dead, 33 Hurt

Three passengers died and 33 were injured when eight coaches of the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express derailed near Gonda in Uttar Pradesh on Thursday, an official reported. Ambulances and medical teams were dispatched to the site between Motiganj and Jhilahi railway stations, approximately 150 km from the state capital, following the derailment news.

The loco pilot mentioned hearing a blast before the derailment but did not provide further details. Initially, there was confusion regarding the death toll. Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak and district magistrate Neha Sharma both initially reported four fatalities. However, about five hours after the 2:35 pm accident, authorities revised the figures, with Sharma stating there was one death.

Rescue Operations and Medical Assistance

A 40-member medical team and 15 ambulances reached the scene, with more medical teams and ambulances being sent, according to Relief Commissioner Kumar during the initial relief efforts. Despite bad weather affecting rescue operations briefly, police and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) completed their tasks.

Passengers in the Assam-bound train began exiting the toppled coaches even before relief teams arrived. Some returned to retrieve their luggage and then waited by the tracks as rescuers arrived. Sandeep Kumar recalled, "For a moment the coach was filled with dust and it was all dark. I don't remember what happened in the next few seconds. I only remember the cries and that a passenger pulled my hand, and helped me get out of the window."

Casualties and Injuries

One more passenger died later in the evening while being transported to Lucknow for medical treatment, UP Relief Commissioner G S Naveen stated. Another unidentified person also died later, according to the relief commissioner's office. The deceased were identified as Saroj Kumar Singh (31) from Araria in Bihar, Rahul (38) from Chandigarh, and one unidentified person.

The latest list indicated six individuals sustained serious injuries while 26 had minor injuries. Dileep Singh, travelling to Chhapra in Bihar, described being thrown onto an opposite berth during his afternoon nap when the accident occurred at around 2:35 pm.

Investigation and Compensation

Union minister and local MP Kirti Vardhan Singh visited the accident site. He mentioned that a special train had departed from Gorakhpur to carry passengers to their destination since this train was heading to Dibrugarh from Chandigarh. The train will stop at Mankapur railway station, with buses arranged to transport passengers to the station.

The Railway Ministry announced a high-level inquiry into the incident alongside a probe by the Commission of Railway Safety. An enhanced ex-gratia amount of Rs 10 lakh will be provided to relatives of those killed. Grievously injured passengers will receive Rs 2.5 lakh, while those with minor injuries will get Rs 50,000.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath instructed local authorities to ensure proper medical treatment for those injured. Several helpline numbers were released for assistance: 8957400965 (Gonda), 8957409292 (Lucknow), and 9957555960 (Dibrugarh).

Train number 15904 Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express had left Wednesday night from Chandigarh before derailing near Gonda Junction station between Motiganj and Jhilahi railway stations at around 2:37 pm on Thursday under North Eastern Railway jurisdiction, spokesperson Sabyasachi De said.

Authorities initially faced confusion due to scattered passengers at the site in poor condition, leading to varying death toll reports.