WATCH - 8 killed, 45 injured as Guwahati-Bikaner Express derails

Domohani (West Bengal): At least eight persons were killed and 45 injured when the 15633 Bikaner-Guwahati Express jumped track on Thursday here in Jalpaiguri district of Northern West Bengal, an official said.

The Northeast Frontier Railway said twelve coaches of the Guwahati-bound train derailed - of which two capsized - between New Domohani and New Maynaguri stations in Alipurduar division around 5 PM.

The train had passed New Domohani station.at around 4-53 PM.

Eyewitnesses said four of the 12 affected coaches were badly damaged, and gas cutters were being used to rescue the trapped passengers. Many of the passengers sustained serious injuries as they jumped from the train to save their lives. the rescue operations were on late into the night.

A N.F Railway spokesperson said there were around 1053 passengers onboard the train when it got derailed.

"The Divisional Railway Manager and other officials rushed to the site along with accident relief train and medical van," the spokesperson said.

A special train left from New Jalpaiguri at 7-05 PM to carry the stranded passengers, who would be brought to Guwahati.

In order to facilitate the rescue operation, the state government rushed police team, ambulances, ropes, dragon lights, food packets and other relief and rescue materials, an official said.

The Railways has announced ex-gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh for the next of kin of each dead passenger, Rs 1 lakh for each grievously injured and Rs 25,000 for passengers with simple injury.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw and state Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee regarding the accident. Vaishnaw, who tweeted soon after the accident that he was "personally monitoring the situation for swift rescue operations," later announced that he was heading to the accident site.

In a tweet, the PM wrote, "Spoke to Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw 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."

Expressing deep concern, Banerjee tweeted: "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 Commissioner of Railway Safety has ordered a high-level inquiry.

A number of trains have been diverted. These include 12346 Guwahati-Howrah Saraighat Express, 20502 New Delhi-Agartala Tejas Rajdhani Express, 22450 New Delhi-Guwahati Express. (inputs from UNI)