31 dead as flash flood derails 2 trains in central India, hundreds rescued

At least 31 people were killed and 70 others injured after the seven coaches of Mumbai-Varanasi Kamayani Express and five bogies of Jabalpur-Mumbai Janata Express derailed while crossing a swollen Machak river near Harda in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh late Tuesday night, PTI reports.

Thirty-one bodies have been recovered so far from the accident site between Khirkiya and Harda stations , Madhya Pradesh Public Relation Department Commissioner Anupam Rajan said Wednesday.

Among the dead were 10 women and five children and 11 members of a family going on a pilgrimage to Shirdi.

Hundreds of people were rescued as rescue efforts went full swing under searchlights despite bad weather.

The toll could further go up, Rajan said.

According to West Central Railway’s PRO Piyush Mathur, seven coaches of Kamayani Express and five bogies plus the engine of Janata Express were derailed late Tuesday night as the base material on the tracks got washed away in floods triggered by heavy rain.”Seven bogies of Kamayani Express and engine plus three coaches of Janata Express were derailed between Khirkiya and Bhirangi stations near Harda,” Mathur said.

“The mishap took place around 11.30 pm on Tuesday as base material of the tracks got washed away in heavy rains. Nearly 25 passengers suffered injuries,” he said.

The Divisional Commercial Railway Manager (DCRM) Brajendra Kumar said that search operation has been launched in nearby areas to find people who might have got washed away in heavy floods.Bhopal Railway PRO said that over 250 passengers have been rescued so far.

A passenger of Kamayni Express, Akhilesh Pratap Singh said he along with over 150 passengers, travelling in the general class coach, were stranded on a hilltop to save themselves.The accident relief train has reached the spot and several passengers have been brought to a nearby station.

An investigation has been ordered into the accident. The commissioner of railway safety (central zone) will conduct the probe. The railways announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the next of the kin of the dead and Rs 50,000 to those who suffered serious injuries.

PM expresses condolences

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed distress and pain over the loss of lives in twin train accident and said authorities are doing everything possible on the ground.

“The two train accidents in Madhya Pradesh are deeply distressing. Deeply pained over the loss of lives. Condolences to families of deceased,” Modi tweeted.

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, said:” Hope the injured are provided adequate medical care and assistance at the earliest.”