Ten dead in three train mishaps in UP

Three train accidents took place in North Central Railway (Allahabad) region due to thick fog and zero visibility condition on Saturday morning leaving ten dead and over 50 others injured.

The first two accidents held in Kanpur zone while the latest accident of Saryu Express held in Allahabad zone in Uttar Pradesh. Five express and mail trains have been badly affected from it.

The very first accident took place at Sarai Bhupat railway station of Etawah district, 120 km away from Kanpur, when the fast running Lichchavi Express collided with stationary Magadh Express. The railway driver of Lichchavi Express got critical injury while at least three persons were reported death and over 15 were rescued injured from the trains.

Both the trains were coming from Patna to Delhi.

The second and more critical accident took place at Panki, Kanpur on Saturday morning when running Gorakhdham Express coming from New Delhi rammed into stationary Prayagraj Express that was also coming from New Delhi. The hit of Gorakhdham express was so powerful that an unreserved women coach of Prayagraj Express that was just ahead of guard coach was destroyed badly and engine of Gorakhdham Express derailed from the track.

The guard of Prayagraj Express died on the spot while at least six other dead bodies have been discovered from the collided trains. Over 40 persons were reported injured in which 15 were seriously injured.

The injured passengers have been admitted to nearby hospitals – Rajaram, Brij Medical Centre and Hallot Hospital.

The third and latest accident on the same day took place in Pratapgarh, 61 kms from Allahabad where the Sarayu Express struck with a trial trolley at an unmanned railway crossing. No report of any casualty came from there while efforts of repairing the damaged engine was going on at the time writing this news.

The railway authorities have announced a compensation of Rs. five lakh each to the kin of the dead passengers while badly injured passengers would get Rs.1 lakh each. A sum of Rs.10,000 each has been announced for less injured passengers.

The Railway authorities have pointed out the bad weather condition for these three mishaps, however an enquiry commission has been established to probe the actual reasons. The commission will begin the enquiry from Monday (January 05, 2010).

Due the critical accidents on busy Delhi-Howrah route, the timings of several other trains are also affected.

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