Nine people killed, 36 injured as Guwahati-Bikaner Express derails near New Domohani in West Bengal

The Guwahati-Bikaner express train derailed near New Domohani railway station in West Bengal yesterday evening. Nine people have died and 36 injured in the accident. According to Railway officials, train No. 15633 Up Express left New Domohani station at around 5 PM. It derailed while running in the block section between New Domohani and New Maynaguri stations. The evacuation of passengers has been completed. A special train  left from the accident site towards Guwahati  at around 10 PM yesterday carrying 290 stranded passengers.

Dinner was served by the railways to the distressed passengers. The accident relief train and Medical van have reached the accident site. Some of the trains are being diverted through alternative routes. A High-level Railway Safety inquiry has been ordered into the accident. Meanwhile, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced ex -gratia relief of five lakh rupees each to the next of the kin of those killed and one lakh rupees to those grievously injured and 25 thousand rupees to the simply injured.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Ashwini Vaishnaw last evening and took stock of the situation in the wake of the train accident. In a tweet, Mr Modi said, his thoughts are with the bereaved families and hoped for the injured to recover quickly. Indian Railways has issued helpline numbers. They are – 0361- 2731622, 2731623.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Railway Board Chairman V K Tripathi and DG, Safety will reach  the site of the accident today.