Jharkhand train mishap: 2 dead, over 22 injured

At least two people were killed and about 22 others injured when 18 coaches of 1280 Howrah-Mumbai passenger train derailed in Jharkhand at around 3.45 am on Tuesday.

- Dheeraj Kumar, Aritra Singha

Railway sources said that the incident took place after a goods train, on its way to Raipur from Tatanagar, derailed. One wagon of the derailed goods train collapsed on another track on which the Howrah-Mumbai Mail was coming; the passenger train hit the wagon, resulting in the derailment of 18 coaches.

Of these, 16 were passenger coaches, one power car and one pantry car.

The two passengers who lost their lives in the accident were sitting near the toilets of the coaches. Eyewitnesses said the impact was such that the wreckage of the coaches of the passenger train was found mangled.

The Railways have announced Rs 10 lakh ex gratia for the kin of each deceased, Rs 5 lakh for those with major injuries and Rs 1 lakh for those with minor injuries. Railway authorities said that the injured had been admitted to hospitals in Phatepani and Seraikela.

At least 80% passengers were sent to Chakradharpur station by bus and a rescue train also reached the site for the rest, officials added.