At least 20 coaches of the Sabarmati Express train number 19168 derailed between Kanpur and Bhimsen station in Uttar Pradesh at 2:30 am on August 17, officials said.
“No injury to any person has been reported as of now. We are trying to find details regarding the number of coaches derailed,” the official said, as per news agency PTI.
“The loco pilot said that some boulder hit the cattle guard (front portion) of the engine which had got badly damaged and bent,” he added.
According to the Railways, seven trains have been cancelled and three diverted due to the derailment.
Shashi Kant Tripathi, Chief Public Relation Officer (CPRO) of the North Central Railway Zone, under which the accident site falls, said that buses were arranged to carry passengers from the accident site to the Kanpur Railway Station.
“Besides, an eight coaches MEMU train departed from Kanpur to the accident site to carry passengers back to Kanpur so that further arrangements can be done to send them to their respective destinations,” Tripathi said.
The Railways has issued the following helpline numbers:- Prayagraj: 0532-2408128, 0532-2407353, Kanpur: 0512-2323018, 0512-2323015, Mirzapur: 054422200097, Etawah: 7525001249, Tundla: 7392959702, Ahmedabad: 07922113977, Banaras City: 8303994411, Gorakhpur: 0551-2208088.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw posted on X: "The engine of Sabarmati Express (Varanasi to Amdavad) hit an object placed on the track and derailed near Kanpur at 02:35 am today. Sharp hit marks are observed. Evidence is protected. IB and UP police are also working on it. No injuries to passengers or staff. Train arranged for passengers for onward journey to Amdavad."
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