{"id":14986,"date":"2022-01-14T17:44:30","date_gmt":"2022-01-14T12:14:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/medialit.in\/thevoices\/?p=14986"},"modified":"2022-01-14T18:02:24","modified_gmt":"2022-01-14T12:32:24","slug":"guwahati-bound-train-derails-9-killed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/medialit.in\/thevoices\/guwahati-bound-train-derails-9-killed\/","title":{"rendered":"Guwahati-bound train derails, 9 killed"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Nine people have died and over 46 people are injured as the Bikaner-Guwahati Express derailed on Thursday evening at about 42 kms from the New Jalpaiguri railway station between Domohani and the Maynaguri in West Bengal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The toll of the injured as well the deceased is on the increase. The impact of the derailment threw five coaches off the track, two of which capsized. The accident affected 12 coaches in all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The train, which was to reach Guwahati on Friday evening, had 1,053 passengers on board when it derailed at around 5 p.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The remains of the wreckage. Photo credit – Ankan Roy <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A passenger recalled a violent jolt that pushed people to one side of the train. “We felt a sudden shock. The luggage kept on upper berths tumbled down,” he told the PTI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the news of the accident trickled in, the government machinery was immediately put on rescue mode with the over 200 BSF personnel called in to control the situation that threatened to spiral out of control. The personnel are from the 169 battalion of the BSF Guwahati Frontier. Two teams from the National Disaster Reaction Force (NDRF) were also deployed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ankan Roy, a Class XI student who was at the spot, recalls the scene of action where the injured were seen calling out for help as people crowded over to watch the police and fire and ambulance services launching hectic rescue work. Some of the villagers rushed in for help. Ambulances from Siliguri were also brought in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The wounded passengers were immediately taken to nearby hospitals in Maynaguri, Malbazar, and Jalpaiguri. The highway was kept clear to allow smooth conduct of the rescue efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hospitals that received the casualties and affected passengers said the injuries were of varying severity hinting at a possibility of an increase in death toll.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Jalpaiguri District Hospital reported admission of 25 injured and death of two. \u201cThe 25 admitted have major injuries. Two or three patients have been referred to North Bengal Medical College, Siliguri,\u201d Gayaram Naskar, doctor at the district hospital, says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The remains of the Bikaner-Guwahati express after it got derailed near New Jalpaiguri railway station on Thursday evening. Photo credit – Ankan Roy.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Lucky Dewan, Block Medical Officer of Health at Maynaguri district hospital, said three passengers were brought dead and 27 critically injured were brought in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moumita Godara Basu, District Magistrate of Jalpaiguri, told The Voices on Friday, \u201cTill now, nine are dead and 46 injured. Those with major injuries were transferred to North Bengal Medical College and Super-Speciality Hospital. Those who are better, have been discharged and are being transported to their respective destinations. Some are still in the hospital. Food and medicine are being provided to injured. No compensation in monetary terms has been given to these victims as of now. The NDRF has been withdrawn, as their work is over. Some rescue operation is still going on.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee, senior government officers including the District Magistrates, Superintendents of Police and Inspectors General of the North Bengal districts are supervising rescue and relief operations. \u201cSituation is being closely monitored from the State headquarters,” she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Union government is taking stock of the situation and has ordered a solatium of Rs.5 lakh for the kin of the deceased, Rs.1 lakh for the severely injured, and Rs 25,000 for those with minor injuries. A high-level probe has also been ordered,” says Guneet Kaur, Chief PRO, North-East Frontier Railway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The government rescue efforts also received support from the locals. Some nursing homes in Jalpaiguri offered free medical emergency services and blood banks arranged blood for the critically injured. A few families also came forward with a helping hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The crowd of local people who gathered around the derailed coaches of the train. Photo credit – Ankan Roy.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Reactions from Central and State leaders<\/h6>\n\n\n\n

As soon as the reports of the accident were confirmed, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: \u201cSpoke to the Railway Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw and took stock of the situation in the wake of the train accident in West Bengal. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover quickly\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

President Ram Nath Kovind, in his message, said: “the derailment of coaches of the Bikaner-Guhawati Express near New Maynaguri, West Bengal, is distressing. My thoughts and prayers are with the affected passengers and their families. I wish a speedy recovery to the injured”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee expressed \u201cdeep concern\u201d over the train accident as she briefed the Prime Minister about the relief and rescue operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She also spoke to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma regarding the derailment of the Guwahati-bound express and assured him of on-ground assistance for the passengers and constant updation of the relief efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Condoling the accident, Chief Minister of Rajasthan Ashok Gehlot said: “saddened to know about the loss of lives when bogies of Bikaner-Guwahati Express got derailed in West Bengal. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Prayers for the speedy recovery of those injured”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also conveyed his concern. “Very sad accident. My condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wish a speedy recovery to all those injured,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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