Seemanchal Express accident kills 6 people
At least six passengers were killed and 29 others injured after a rail fracture caused 11 bogies of the Delhi-bound Seemanchal Express to jump the tracks in Bihar's Vaishali district. Sleeping passengers flung off their berths with only a deafening bang and powerful jolt striking their ears.
It was at 4 am when the Jogbani-Anand Vihar Seemanchal Express originating from Jogbani in Kishanganj district met with the accident. Prima facie, a rail fracture led to the derailment. The accident took place at Sahadai Buzurg, close to Mahanar Road in the Sonpur division. One general coach, one AC coach B3, three sleeper coaches - S8, S9, S10 and six more coaches have derailed.
READ | 6 killed in Seemanchal train derailment, full report here
Basawan Singh, a resident of Sahadei Buzurg block in Vaishali district, where the accident took place, said he initially mistook the accident for a bomb explosion.
"We were asleep when we heard the loud bang. Initially suspecting that a bomb had exploded nearby, I and other neighbuors cautiously ventured out carrying lathis in our hands, he said.
"The tracks were a few yards away and we could sense that a train was stranded, but it was pitch dark and we took time to figure out what happened. One has heard about train compartments made of solid iron being reduced to mangled heaps of metal in accidents. But to see that oneself was a different thing altogether," he recalled.
Imarati Devi, who had boarded the train at Kishanganj Saturday night, said she was fortunate to have escaped unhurt even as the compartment she was in derailed in the accident.
"I prepared the bed for my mother-in-law on the middle berth before settling on the upper one. We were mindful that we had a long journey ahead, some 24 hours before the train would reach the Anand Vihar Terminus. So we soon dozed off.
Seemanchal Express accident kills 6 people
"Suddenly, I found myself hitting a hard surface, my ears still ringing from an explosion-like sound. It took me a few seconds to realise that I fell on the floor of the compartment," she recalled with a shudder.
The woman, who is in her early 40s, said men broke open the window panes and made their exit through the gap.
"One of them put his hand inside, beckoning me to get out of the compartment the way he had. I found that the coach was tilted at an odd angle. After getting out, I began wailing for my mother-in-law whom I feared might have died in the accident.
"After about half an hour, I saw the old lady - unable to clamber out of the tilted compartment on her own - being carried out safely by a few able-bodied rescuers," she said, as her mother-in-law Ramesari Devi (65) sat beside, muttering prayers under her breath.
Seemanchal Express accident kills 6 people
A local resident, Rameshwar Rai, said, "Luckily, the site of the mishap wasn't a remote or a sparsely-populated area. We could reach out to the victims immediately. Some of us had gas-cutters which were put to use even before rescue officials could reach with their professional equipment," he said.
"Some people also contacted private nursing homes nearby from where ambulances were rushed to the spot," he added.
Both survivors and local people felt that luck favoured passengers as the accident of that magnitude could have killed more people.
Seemanchal Express accident kills 6 people
Prime Minister Narendra Modi grieves loss of lives
"Deeply anguished by the loss of lives due to the derailment of coaches of the Seemanchal Express. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover quickly. Railways, NDRF, and local authorities are providing all possible assistance in the wake of the accident."
Railways announce ex-gratia for victims
Indian Railways announced an ex-gratia amount of Rs 5 lakh each to the kin of every deceased. Rs 1 lakh would be given to the grievously injured and Rs 50,000 to those who suffered simple injuries, a post on social media by Ministry of Railways said. All medical expenses will also be born by Railways, it said. Additionally, Bihar government has announced to give Rs 4 lakhs each to the kin of every deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured.
Seemanchal Express accident kills 6 people
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(With PTI inputs)
