Kanpur train tragedy: Survivors reel from horror, recount miraculous escape

Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh) [India], Nov. 20 (ANI): The injured passengers, who survived the horrific derailing of the Indore-Patna express near Kanpur railway station which claimed the lives of 63 people, cannot believe their fate as they are still coming to terms with the shocking happening of Sunday morning. Several passengers were seen sitting shell-shocked next to the wreckage of the mangled train, including some who were rocking back and forth praying with tears streaming from their eyes, as they came to terms with their survival. For some, the divine intervention of "Mahakal" helped them in surviving the horror with their lives intact, despite their loved ones still missing. "The train derailed at 3 a.m. and I was in coach no. 5 at the time. Around four to five people who were travelling with me, have been missing since. We were petrified when the incident happened but I was saved thanks to the grace of Mahakal," recounts a passenger. "During our journey we felt a sudden jerk and fell from our seats. I am still unable to fathom the gravity of situation. Such was the impact it had on me personally. Five of my fellow passengers are still missing and I am worried about them," another anxious passenger said. However, for some, the deity has not been kind to them. "We were travelling to Patna when we felt the train skidding off the track. I am severely injured and am still to come to terms with the incident. I am worried as I am still unable to locate my mother. I hope she is alive," said a passenger. Another concerned traveller from Indore who was travelling with her two brothers and three sisters is still looking for her missing siblings and had no idea if they have survived the incident or not. Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has announced ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the deceased families, Rs 50,000 for serious injury and Rs 25,000 for minor injury. At least 153 people have been injured and several bodies are still trapped under the wreckage of the mangled coaches after the train derailed early morning on Sunday at the Hanshi-Kanpur intersection in Uttar Pradesh today at 3.20 a.m. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have reached the spot and have swung into action along with the police in pulling out bodies and providing aid to the victims. Rescue operations have been underway since early morning and the death toll is expected to rise, Railway officials said. "The entire train went turtle. About 63 dead bodies have been evacuated and about 150 people got injured. A lot of teams are on the spot along with NDRF, local police, doctors and Railway authorities. The rescue operation in on and it will be over in another 10-15 minutes," Daljeet Chaudhary, Additional Director General (Law and Order, U.P.) told ANI here. Almost 14 coaches of the train derailed in the wee hours today causing the major accident resulting in the severe loss of lives. Meanwhile, Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu tweeted that an enquiry has been ordered into the accident and that strict action will be taken against all those responsible. (ANI)