'Broken track may have caused Mahakoshal Express derailment'

The derailment of Delhi bound train, which took place near Kulpahar, has left 36 persons injured.

Uttar Pradesh Health Minister Siddharth Nath Singh on Thursday said broken track due to welding could be the possible reason behind Mahakoshal Express derailment, adding that the matter needs to to be further investigated.

He also announced a compensation of Rs 50,000 for those suffering major injuries and Rs 25,000 to those with minor injuries due to the accident.

Singh was earlier asked to oversee relief and rescue operations after eight coaches of Mahakoshal Express derailed near Kulpahar.

UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday reportedly directed Singh to visit the site and take stock of the situation.

The accident, which left 36 people injured, took place 270 kilometers away from the state capital Lucknow. Four air conditioned and four general compartments were among the eight coaches that have derailed.

The Member Traffic Railway Board Mohammed Jamshed told news agency ANI that all the injured, except one, have been discharged from the hospital after first-aid. One individual still in hospital has suffered a fracture.

The train was on its way to Delhi from Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh when the incident occurred. The incident is said to have taken place at around 2 am on Thursday and the cause of the derailment is yet to be ascertained.

OneIndia News