At least 30 people have died and several more are feared dead in a major tragedy in which two trains got derailed in Harda in Madhya Pradesh in the intervening night on Tuesday and Wednesday while crossing a submerged track over the swollen Machak river. The twin tragedy took place when Kamayani Express and Janata Express were crossing a bridge on the Machak river almost simultaneously late on Tuesday night. While 20 of those dead were travelling in Kamayani Express, the other 10 were passengers of Janata Express.
The bridge, which is between Khirkiya and Harda station, was apparently damaged following heavy rains leading to the tragedy. Some bogies of both the trains have also fallen into the Machak river which is about 160 kilometers from Madhya Pradesh capital Bhopal. Railways has also set up helpline numbers. These are Harda: 09752460088, Bhopal: 07554061609, Bina: 075802222, Itarsee: 0758422419200
In the first tragedy 11071 Kamayani Express train from Lokmanya Tilak Terminus in Mumbai to Varanasi Junction met with an accident when it went off the track at around 11.30 PM while the second train the Janata Express on its way to Mumbai from Jabalpur and coming from the opposite direction also met with an accident at the same spot and almost the same time.
"Some bogies have fallen into the Machak river," Harda Collector Rajnish Shrivastava said about the Kamayani Express accident. The accident site is about 25 kilometers from Harda.
According to Railway spokesperson Anil Saxena there was "water on tracks and the bridge was submerged". "So the last bogies of Kamayani Express got derailed. Simultaneously, on the other track the engines and coaches of the Janata Express also got derailed," he said.
Hoshangabad Division Commissioner VK Batham said a relief train carrying collector, Superintendent of Police, doctors and other railway staff have reached the accident site. Railway Board Chairman AK Mittal said several passengers have already been rescued and sent to the nearest station.
Also read: Kamayani and Janata Express trains derailment due to flooding of tracks: Railways
"Rushing emergency medical & other relief personnel to spot. darkness, water creating hurdles but ordered all possible help. Trying our best (sic), " Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu tweeted. He said efforts were underway to pull back the bogies. "We r gearing up all possible help on basis of info, will not spare any efforts," he tweeted.
He added Railway administration and MP government are working together to rescue passengers. He further said that GM, DRM, RPF and medical staff have been directed to rush to the spot. Emergency relief trains have also been sent to the accident site. Railways officials said that rescue options are underway but is proving to be a challenge due to heavy rainfall in the area.
(With inputs from PTI)
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