UP ATS to probe train derailment, which claimed three lives

Lucknow: The Anti-Terrorism Squad of Uttar Pradesh Police will be probing the derailment of Patna-bound 12741 Vasco Da Gama express at Manikpur station in Chitrakoot district early Friday morning.A separate inquiry will also be conducted by the commissioner (railways safety).The Additional Director-General of Police (law and order), Anand Kumar, told UNI here today that Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has been pressed into service to probe the Manikpur train accident.

Mr Kumar said, 'We are not taking any chances and hence, ATS has been asked to probe whether there was any sabotage in the incident.'Three passengers died and nine were injured when Patna-bound 12741 Vasco Da Gama express derailed at Manikpur station in Chitrakoot district.The derailment could have been caused due to a rail fracture, railways officials added.

The accident occurred at around 0414 hrs at platform number two of Manikpur station. Railway officials said that eight coaches from the engine were intact while two coaches suffered major damage.The deceased were identified as a six-year-old Golu and his father Deepak Patel (30) of Bettiah, Bihar, while the third could not be identified.Of the injured, seven were admitted to CHC Manikpur and two to district hospital.

The injured were identified as Rinki Kumar (24) of Goa, Abhishek (26) and Arvind Kumar (24), both from Varanasi, Raneshwar (50) from Chappra, Bihar, Manjit Devi (22) from Samastipur, Indal Chauhan (24) and Chandrashekhar(18) from Sonbhadra, Rajkumar Das (28) from Vaishali, Bihar and Jai Kumar from Shillong.

Officials said most of the injured were out of danger.Meanwhile, train services on the route have been suspended. The trains were being diverted through alternate route.
Railways have announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the families of the deceased, Rs1 lakh to the critically injured and Rs 50,000 to those with minor injuries.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed condolences on the death of three passengers in the train derailment and ordered all medical facilities to the injured passengers.Railway officials were quick to reach the spot along with rescue and medical relief train.

A special train has also been sent to Manikpur to ferry the stranded passengers to the destination.Surprisingly, Railway Board Chairman Lohani was in Lucknow on Thursday to inspect the safety and other aspects of the railways.Railway officials said the derailment occurred at an inter-change point between the North Central Railway and Western Railway.Technical fault in the coaches may have led to the accident, the officials said, though some others say that fractured rail track could be the cause of the derailment.(UNI)

Vasco Da Gama exp derailment: Goyal orders inquiry

New Delhi: Railway Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday condoled the loss of lives in Patna-bound 12741 Vasco Da Gama express derailment in Uttar Pradesh's Manikpur and ordered a probe into the incident.

The Minister tweeted, "Immediate rescue and relief operations started and an inquiry ordered into the derailment of Vasco De Gama - Patna Express at Manikpur, UP. My sincere condolences to the families of the deceased".He also announced ex-gratia of Rs five lakh each to the kin of the deceased, Rs one lakh for the grievously injured and Rs 50,000 to those who have sustained minor injuries.At least three passengers were killed and nine others injured when the Vasco Da Gama express derailed at Manikpur station in Chitrakoot district on 0414 hrs.(UNI)