Guwahati-Bikaner Express derails near Domohani in Bengal; 5 dead

The West Bengal government has assured all help to Assam in connection with the Bikaner-Guwahati Express train derailment in which five deaths have been reported so far and left more than 45 others injured, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted on Thursday.

Sarma spoke to his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee soon after the mishap on Thursday and she assured of all assistance and updates about the situation.

Many victims of the accident, which took place near Moynaguri town of West Bengal's Jalpaiguri district, are feared to be from Assam as the train was headed for Guwahati.

Sarma tweeted, “I spoke to Hon’ble West Bengal CM Smt @MamataOfficial ji to inquire about the Bikaner-Guwahati Express mishap.”

“She assured to provide all help & assistance on ground and also keep us posted on the ongoing situation. I thank her for offering all her support to the victims,” he added.

Twelve coaches of Bikaner-Guwahati Express train derailed and some overturned in the derailment on Thursday, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said in a tweet.

The news of the accident of Bikaner-Guwahati Express train in West Bengal is extremely sad. Praying for peace to the departed souls to Lord Shri Ram and wishing for speedy recovery of those injured in the accident. My condolences are with the bereaved families.

Spoke to Railways Minister @AshwiniVaishnaw and took stock of the situation in the wake of the train accident in West Bengal. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover quickly.

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced enhanced ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh for kin of those who have died and Rs 1 lakh
for those with grievous injury and Rs 25,000 for minor injuries.

Total ambulances that are deployed in the rescue operation is approximately between 30-35. According to officials, the rescue operation is almost complete as all trapped/injured passengers have been taken to the hospital.

Deeply concerned to hear about the tragic accident of the Bikaner-Guwahati Express in Maynaguri. Senior Officers of the State Government, DM/SP/IG North Bengal are supervising rescue and relief operations. Those injured will receive medical attention, as early as possible. The situation is being closely monitored from the State HQs, said Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

There are two teams of NDRF that have been deployed in the rescue operation. Also, DG NDRF Atul Karwal said they will reach shortly to rescue people in the Guwahati-Bikaner Express train derailment.

Railways has issued several helpline numbers for any information regarding the Guwahati-Bikaner express train that derailed near the New Domohani railway station in West Bengal.

Guwahati-Bikaner derailment: Accident of train no 15633 in Alipurduar Division Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR).

Helplines numbers: 

1. Patna junction - 9341506016
2. Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Jn- 7388898100
3. Danapur  7759070004
4. Sonpur 9771429999

As per reports, at least 3 people have been declared dead while many others are feared trapped.

98 passengers boarded the train (Guwahati-Bikaner Express) from Patna junction and 3 people from Mokama and 2 people from Bakhtiarpur, said Rajesh Kumar Chief Reservation supervisor, Patna junction, Bihar.

Guwahati-Bikaner Express 15633 (up) derailed at about 5 pm this evening. 12 coaches have been affected. DRM and ADRM rushed to the site in an accident relief train and medical van, said Indian Railways. Over 1100 passengers were present in the train.

Jalpaiguri district administration said some injured passengers were being rushed to a hospital in nearby Moynaguri.

A helpline number has been issued by the railways - 8134054999. The rescue operation is underway.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who was in a meeting with PM Modi on the Covid situation in the country, left the meeting after the news and has issued instructions to the district administration for relief and rescue work.

Authorities are using gas cutters to rescue passengers who are trapped in the derailed coaches. Reports say out of 12 coaches that derailed, 7 of them are badly damaged.

A relief train has been dispatched towards the derailment site to rescue the injured passengers as many are feared trapped.

A high-level inquiry has been ordered after 12 coaches of Guwahati-Bikaner express train derailed near New Domohani railway station in West Bengal.

Several people are feared dead according to a claim by a passenger who was present in the train when it derailed.

Several coaches of Guwahati-Bikaner express train derailed on Thursday near the new Domohani railway station in West Bengal.