Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express Accident: In another tragic incident, around six coaches of Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express derailed near Gonda in Uttar Pradesh. So far, there are reports of two deaths while dozens of passengers are said to be injured. The accident took place around 2.40 pm. The six derailed coaches include at least four AC coaches. The accident happened near the Jhilahi station. The District Magistrate confirmed that at present 2 people have died while 2 others are seriously injured. “Apart from this, the injured are being taken to the hospital for treatment. At present, relief and rescue work is going on,” said Relief Commissioner, Uttar Pradesh.

#WATCH | Gonda Train Derailment | Visuals of the Dibrugarh-Chandigarh Express which derailed in Uttar Pradesh’s Gonda today.

As per Gonda DM, two people have died and around 20 are injured in the incident. pic.twitter.com/xQ76a4qWXh

— ANI (@ANI) July 18, 2024

The driver of the train made a shocking claim saying that he heard a loud noise before the derailment. This raises suspicion on hand of anti-social elements in the train derailment. However, the truth will be out only after an inquiry.

जनपद-गोंडा

15904 चंडीगढ़ एक्सप्रेस ट्रेन हादसे में #sdrf_up टीम द्वारा राहत एवं बचाव कार्य किया जा रहा है। pic.twitter.com/VSyHj3cI1r
— SDRF UTTAR PRADESH (@sdrf_up) July 18, 2024

The train was enroute to Dibrugarh. A contingent of army jawans has reached at the site to help the local administration with a rescue operation. According to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister’s Office, CM Yogi Adityanath has taken cognisance of the train accident in the Gonda district. He directed the officials to reach the spot immediately and expedite the relief work. He also instructed for proper treatment of the injured.

As per the instructions of Chief Minister Adityanath, one team of NDRF has been dispatched from Lucknow and Balrampur to Gonda. Five ambulances have been deployed for relief and rescue operations at the site of the train accident. Additionally, orders have been given to send more ambulances to the spot. A team of doctors is present at the site, providing first aid to the injured. The injured are also being shifted to the hospital.

जनपद गोण्डा में हुई ट्रेन दुर्घटना अत्यंत दुःखद है।

जिला प्रशासन के अधिकारियों को युद्ध स्तर पर राहत एवं बचाव कार्य संचालित करने और घायलों को शीर्ष प्राथमिकता के साथ अस्पताल पहुंचाकर उनके समुचित उपचार के लिए निर्देश दिए हैं।

प्रभु श्री राम से घायलों के शीघ्र स्वास्थ्य लाभ हेतु…
— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) July 18, 2024

The Relief Commissioner has dispatched an SDRF team from three districts to expedite the relief operations.

Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma has been briefed about the derailment of the Dibrugarh – Chandigarh express. He is monitoring the situation and the Government of Assam is in touch with relevant authorities, said the Assam Chief Minister’s Office.

Reacting to the Dibrugarh-Chandigarh express derailment, Pankaj Singh, CPRO, North Eastern Railway said, “Medical van of Railways has reached the spot and rescue operation has been started. Helpline numbers have been issued. It happened around 2.37 pm.”

Indian Railways Helpline

The Indian Railways has issued helplines for the passengers and their families. The numbers are 0361-2731621, 0361-2731622, and 0361-2731623. The Lucknow division of North Eastern Railways has also issued helpline numbers which are as follow: Commercial Control – 9957555984, Furkating (FKG): 9957555966, Mariani (MXN): 6001882410, Simalguri (SLGR): 8789543798, Tinsukia (NTSK): 9957555959 and Dibrugarh (DBRG): 9957555960.

The train derailment came a month after Kanchanjunga train accident in West Bengal. At least 11 people had died and more than 40 were injured in the accident that took place after a goods train collided with the stationary Kanchanjunga Express.