Utkal Reporter|Aug 19, 2017
Kalinga Utkal express met a massive accident near Khautali in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday evening leaving 23 people dead and scores injured. The Haridwar bound high-speed train went off tracks at about 5.45 in the evening 40 km off Muzzafarnagar resulting the ghastly rail accident.
Death toll is feared to increase by the rescue operation complets as some of the injureds are in critical condition.
The accident was so massive that bogeys were seen jumping. One crashed into a house adjacent to the track and another finished on the top of the pantry car. Fourteen carriages in total have been sent out of the tracks. The coaches damaged were S1 to S10 sleeper class, third AC B1, second AC A1 coach and the pantry.
Though railway officials are circumspective to give a statement on the cause of the crash there is speculation that a sudden brake put by the train driver might have resulted the accident.
The ill fated train had left Puri on August 17 for haridwar on its regular 36 hours of journey only to be fatally interupted just 3 hours before it reached its destination.
Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu had ordered an enquiry into the accident. He said he was personally monitoring the situation and warned strict action in case of any lapse.
The Railway Minister has announced Rs 3.5 lac ex-gratia compensation for the deceaseds, Rs 50000 for the seriously injureds and Rs 25000 for those who received minor injuries.
Muzaffarnagar authorities have set up a control room to assist families of those affected. The numbers are: 0131- 2436918, 0131-2436103 and 0131-2436564
Leave a Reply