Domohani (West Bengal): At least three persons were killed and 20 injured whenthe 15633 Bikaner-Guwahati Express jumped track on Thursday here in Jalpaiguri district ofNorthern West Bengal, a Northeast Frontier Railway spokesperson said.
“Three passengers are dead, 20 were injured,” the spokesperson said in Guwahati.The Jalpaiguri District Magistrate Moumita Godara Basu also confirmed the casualty figure.
Twelve coaches of the Guwahati-bound train derailed between New Domohani and New Maynaguri stations in Alipurduar division of Northeast Frontier Railway at around 5 PM.
The train had passed New Domohani station.at around 4-53 PM, railway sources said. Eyewitnesses said four of the 12 affected coaches were badly damaged, and gas cutters were being used to rescue the trapped passengers.
“The Divisional Railway Manager and other officials rushed to the site along with accident relieftrain and medical van,” a railway spokesperson added.
In order to facilitate the rescue operation, the state government has rushed a team of around 20police persons led by Additional Superintendent of Police Mathabhanga.
Four ambulances, ropes, dragon lights, food packets and other relief and rescue materials havealso been sent from Coochbehar, officials said.
Sources said Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to state Chief Minister Mamata Banerjeeabout the accident.
Expressing deep concern, Banerjee tweeted: “Senior officers of the state government, DM/SP/IGNorth Bengal are supervising rescue and relief operations. Those injured will receive medicalattention, as early as possible.”
The Commissioner of Railway Safety has ordered a high-level inquiry.
