Kanpur: 43 injured in Sealdah-Ajmer Express derailment

Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh) [India], Dec. 28 (ANI): As many as 43 persons were injured when the Sealdah-Ajmer Express train derailed near the Rura Railway Station in Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur Dehat district this morning. "Number of injured has increased to 43 in the Sealdah-Ajmer Express train derailment accident," said Kanpur Dehat District Magistrate (DM) Kumar Ravikant. However, there is no confirmation on casualties as yet. "Till now there is no verified, confirmed, authentic information about the casualties. As of now, there are only reports of injuries. Once any update is available, we will share it with the media," Indian Railways spokesperson Anil Saxena told ANI. Divulging details of the train derailment, Saxena said, "At around 5:20 a.m. in the morning, an accident took place in UP, in Kanpur Dehat district. The train involved was the Sealdah-Ajmer Express. When it was passing through Roura and Metha, its 14 coaches got derailed i.e. from 6-19 coaches. The first five coaches and the last 5 coaches were unaffected." Ambulances were rushed to the spot and rescue operations were started immediately. The relief process is still underway, but most passengers have been evacuated. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams are also at the accident spot, participating in the relief operations. "Relief and rescue operations are underway, but most of the passengers from the affected coached have been taken out," said Saxena. Saxena also informed that Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu is closely monitoring the situation and has assured all possible assistance to the victims. "Honourable Railway Minister is keeping a watch on the developments. He has given instructions for effective relief and rescue operations. He has also directed that all assistance should be extended to the victims of this unfortunate and tragic accident," he said. The Railway Minister has also announced ex-gratia to the injured. The Indian Railways have issued helpline numbers in the wake of the incident. Following the train derailment, several trains have been diverted. (ANI)