12 killed, over 45 injured as 2 trains collide near Gorakhpur

TNN

Lucknow, Oct 01, 2014: At least 12 passengers were killed and over 45 injured when a speeding passenger train allegedly jumped signal and collided with another train which was taking a turn on a loop line near here on Tuesday night. 

 

The Maduadeeh-Lucknow Krishak Express hit Barauni bound express train from Lucknow from the side while it was on the loop line at Nandanagar railway crossing, about seven kilometers from here, at around 11pm, chief public relation officer of North- Eastern Railway Alok Kumar Singh said on Wednesday.

 

 

Three coaches of Barauni Express were badly damaged in the collision.

 

"The Loco pilot of Krishak Express Ram Bahadur and assistant Loco pilot Satyajeet have been suspended for allegedly overshooting the signal, Singh said.

 

Rescue teams of railway and Gorakhpur district administration have reached the spot and rescue operations are under way.

 

Injured have been admitted to nearby hospitals, a district administration official said.

 

Movements of trains on Gorakhpur-Varanasi and Lucknow-Gorakhpur routes have been disrupted following the incident.

 

The railway has also set up helpline for inquiries for various cities -- Gorakhpur (05513303365, 09794846980), Lucknow (05222233042), Chhapra (09006693233) and Benares (09919041978), the spokesperson said.

 

 

Meanwhile, chief minister Akhilesh Yadav announced Rs two lakh for the family members of the deceased and Rs 50,000 compensation for the injured.

 

Railway has also announced a compensation of Rs 50,000 to kin of the dead.

 

Railway minister Sadananda Gowda has expressed "profound grief" over the loss of lives.