News

24 dead in double derailment of trains in India

Image via Shutterstock

At least 24 people have been killed as two passenger trains derailed within minutes of each other in India.

The trains were crossing a partially flooded bridge near Harda in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh and several coaches fell into a river.

Heavy rain reportedly caused river levels to rise, submerging the track.

Officials are saying at least 25 people are injured and 300 people have been rescued.

The Kamayani Express travelling from Varanasi to Mumbai derailed first, while the Janata Express travelling in the opposite direction derailed shortly after.

The trains were crossing a bridge over a rain-swollen Machak river, about 590 miles from India’s capital, Delhi.

“This unfortunate accident took place because of the flash floods on the tracks and the track caved in and resulted in the derailment of the last six coaches of the Kamayani Express,” railways spokesperson Anil Saksena told the BBC.

“This train derailed, then simultaneously on the neighbouring line from the opposite direction, another train was coming. That train also encountered a flash flood situation. So it almost happened simultaneously on neighbouring tracks.”

At least two coaches were partially submerged in the river and most passengers had been pulled to safety, he said.

Share article

View Comments

Jacobs Media is honoured to be the recipient of the 2020 Queen's Award for Enterprise.

The highest official awards for UK businesses since being established by royal warrant in 1965. Read more.