Train derails near Kanpur, over 50 injured

Mumbai: A rail fracture is suspected to be the reason for the Ajmer-Sealdah Express derailment near Kanpur on Wednesday, causing injuries to over 50 passengers. However, the real reasons behind the derailment can be ascertained only after the completion of the inquiry.

Maintenance issues coupled with drop in temperature cause fracture in rails. The railways had witnessed a major train accident involving Indore-Patna Express, which claimed 150 lives just 38 days back at Pokhrayan near Kanpur. While the final report about the mishap is yet to be submitted, initial report had suggested rail fracture as the possible reason.

Both train mishaps, involving derailment of several coaches, had occurred in the early morning hour, near Kanpur. However, while 14 coaches of Indore-Patna Express got derailed claiming lives of about 150 passengers on November 20, the railways said there was no casualty in today’s derailment involving 15 coaches of Ajmer-Sealdah Express.

“There were no casualties and 53 passengers were injured after 15 coaches of Ajmer-Sealdah Express derailed,” said railway spokesperson Anil Saxena. He said an inquiry has been ordered into the Ajmer-Sealdah Express accident. Commissioner Railway Safety of Northern Circle will hold the inquiry and submit the report at the earliest.

Railway minister Suresh Prabhu announced ex-gratia for the injured passengers in the mishap. While those passengers with serious injury will get Rs 50,000 as ex-gratia, passengers with minor injuries will get Rs 25,000.