2 killed, 43 injured as train derails near Kanpur in UP

Kanpur: Two passengers were killed and 43 injured when 15 coaches of the Ajmer-Sealdah Express derailed this morning near Rura Railway Station in Kanpur Rural district, the second rail accident in the region in two months.

The incident took place around 6 AM near Rura Railway Station, 70 km from here, when the train was crossing a bridge over a dry canal in the area, North Central Railways PRO Amit Malviya said.

Two persons have been killed and 43 injured when 13 sleeper and 2 general coaches of the train derailed, IG (Kanpur range) Zaki Ahmed said.

Rescue operations are over with all passengers pulled out of the derailed coaches. While 33 injured passengers have been admitted to the district hospital, 10 have been admitted to the Hallet Hospital in Kanpur, he said.

Buses have been plied to drop the stranded passengers from the spot to Kanpur Railway Station.

The incident comes a month after over 150 people were killed and more than 200 injured when 14 coaches of the Indore-Patna Express derailed in Kanpur Rural district on November 20.

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said he was personally monitoring the situation. "We are making alternate arrangements for passengers to continue with their onward journey," he said in a series of tweets.

The railway minister said all assistance is being provided to those injured. "Personally monitoring the situation in wake of unfortunate derailment of Sealdah-Ajmer Express near Kanpur," he said.

The Railway minister said ex-gratia will be paid to the injured passengers.

All passengers are being provided with necessary assistance to ensure least inconvenience, "doing our best", Prabhu said.

Malviya said the Delhi-Howrah route via Kanpur has been temporarily closed and the Shatabdi Express from Delhi to Kanpur has been cancelled.

The Railways have issued helpline numbers for Kanpur -- 0512-2323015, 2323016, 2323018 and for Allahabad -- 0532-2408149, 2408128.

While the police said two persons have been killed in the mishap, railways are yet to confirm the same.

Arun Saxena, General Manager, North Central Railway, said no casualty has been reported by the railways' medical team.

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday announced financial assistance of Rs 50,000 to those seriously injured in the Kanpur train mishap and Rs 25,000 to those who suffered minor wounds.

The chief minister wished speedy recovery to the passengers injured after 15 coaches of the Ajmer-Sealdah Express derailed early this morning near Rura Railway Station in Kanpur Dehat district when the train was crossing a bridge over a dry canal.

He directed officials to take adequate measures for the treatment of the injured and said there should be no laxity in this regard, an official release said in Lucknow.

The chief minister also asked officials to extend all assistance to railway authorities in providing succour to the passengers.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Health Minister Shivkant Ojha ordered cancellation of leave of all doctors in government-run hospitals in Kanpur division.