4 Dead, Around 80 Injured After Several Bogies Of North-East Express Derails In Bihar's Buxar

Four people died and over 80 were injured after several coaches of the North-East Express train, headed for Kamakhya in Guwahati from Delhi, derailed on Wednesday near Raghunathpur station in Bihar's Buxar district, according to reports.

The incident occurred around 9:35 pm near Raghunathpur station, located close to Buxar.

The superfast train was en route to Kamakhya, situated near Guwahati in Assam. A railway official, as quoted by news agency ANI, provided details, stating, "Some coaches of train number 12506 North East Express going from Anand Vihar Terminal to Kamakhya derailed at 21:35 today near Raghunathpur station of Danapur division."

Meanwhile, seventeen trains have been diverted as a result of the derailment of the North East Express.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, "Rescue operation going on at war footing at Buxar derailment site. NDRF, SDRF, District administration, Railway officials, and local residents are all working as one team. Injured shifted to hospital. War room operating."

The 23-coach train had departed from the Anand Vihar terminal in Delhi at 7:40 am on Wednesday, embarking on a nearly 33-hour trip to Kamakhya, located approximately six kilometers from Guwahati.

Buxar's Superintendent of Police (SP), Manish Kumar, has confirmed the death of one passenger in the train derailment. He stated, "We have found a body, and the injured have been swiftly sent for medical treatment. We are actively conducting search operations to ensure no one is trapped within the derailed bogies."

Union Minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey, who also serves as the Member of Parliament for Buxar, received immediate notification of the derailment and headed to Raghunathpur. He communicated with railway and district officials to address the situation, as reported by news agency ANI.

Choubey expressed his concern, saying, "A tragic incident happened in Buxar area as some coaches of the North East Superfast train derailed at Raghunathpur station. I have come to know that three coaches have derailed. I have also spoken to NDRF DG, Chief Secretary, District Magistrate, Director General, and General Manager of Railways."

He further stated, "I have appealed to our workers, and they are actively engaged in rescue operations. Medical teams have been dispatched, and a comprehensive rescue operation is in progress. I am also en route to Raghunathpur in Buxar."

Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister, Tejashwi Yadav, also took swift action by reaching out to officials from the Disaster Management Department and Health Department of Buxar and Bhojpur. He directed them to expedite their arrival at the scene and intensify rescue efforts while ensuring appropriate medical arrangements for the injured passengers.

In a tweet in Hindi, Yadav affirmed the Bihar government's commitment to actively engage in rescue, relief, and medical treatment for the victims and injured.

Assam chief minister's office said it is closely monitoring the derailment of the North East Express in Raghunathpur and is in touch with the district authorities in Buxar as well as other agencies.

Visuals doing the rounds on social media platforms showed a sea of locals at the accident site.

The Railways has issued helpline numbers in the wake of the accident. They are mentioned as follows:

Patna Junction (PBE)- 9771449971

Danapur (DNR)- 8905697493

Ara- 8306182542

COML CNL- 7759070004

A medical team along with an accident relief vehicle have left for the accident site.