Railways on Wednesday said the sudden flow of water on the tracks caused the derailment of the two trains while they were crossing the swollen Machak river near Harda in Madhya Pradesh.
At least 28 people have died and 40 are injured after two passenger trains derailed within minutes of each other while crossing flooded tracks in Madhya Pradesh late on Tuesday night. More than 25 are missing, say sources.
“According to reports, there was a possible burst in a nearby dam which caused sudden flow of water on the tracks and that resulted in the derailment,” Railway Board Chairman AK Mittal said. Several passengers have been rescued and sent to the nearest station, he said. Mittal said the Railways will enquire into the two derailments.
Six coaches of the Kamayani Express running from Mumbai to Varanasi derailed at around 11:30 pm while crossing a culvert near the Machak river close to Harda, about 160 kilometres from state capital Bhopal.
Minutes later, an engine and four coaches of the Janata Express, going to Mumbai from Jabalpur, derailed. Among those who have died are 10 women and five children, the Madhya Pradesh government said.
“I am going to the accident site, will talk after taking stock of the situation,” said Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
A railway official said water flooding the tracks entered the derailed coaches. Earlier reports had said that the coaches fell into the river.
Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu, in a statement in the Rajya Sabha, said that a flash flood caused the swollen Machak river to overflow and wash out a section of the rail tracks, leading to the derailment of the two trains.
Meanwhile, Railway Board Member (Traffic) Kundan Sinha said the tracks have been breached because of the flow of excessive water and the particular section has been closed for any train movement. The accident relief train has reached the spot and several passengers have been brought to a nearby station, Sinha added.
Kamayani Express enroute to Varanasi from Mumbai derailed near Harda, about 160 kms from Bhopal, and the Mumbai-Jabalpur Janata Express derailed around 11.30 PM on Tuesday. The derailment took place near Khirkiya and Harda station on Machak river.
