Kolkata, July 31 (IANS) One person was killed and at least 35 people were injured when the engine and six coaches of the Bangalore-bound Guwahati-Bangalore Express derailed and were hit by a passenger train passing on the adjacent tracks in West Bengal’s Malda district Sunday evening, officials said.
Four coaches of the Azimganj-Malda Town passenger train also ran off the tracks as it collided with the derailed train near Jamirghata station in Eastern Railway’s Malda division, said an Eastern Railway spokesman.
‘One person has died in the accident. We fear there may be four or five more casualties. We can’t ascertain the number of the injured now. But most of them have been rescued,’ said Malda District Magistrate Rajesh Singh.
‘We have sent 35 injured people to hospital,’ Inspector General of Police (North Bengal) Ranvir Kumar told IANS by phone.
Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi said the death was not related to the accident. ‘The body was lying on the track.’
There were minor injuries to 20 passengers, he said.
The accident occurred around 7 p.m. when the engine and two parcel vans, one luggage van and three sleeper class coaches of the Guwahati-Bangalore Express derailed and fell on the adjacent track.
‘The engine was hit by the Azimganj-Malda Town passenger train coming from the opposite direction,’ the Eastern Railway spokesman said.
‘As a result, one luggage van and three general second class coaches of the local train also ran off the tracks,’ the spokesman said.
Two medical teams have been rushed to the spot. Senior railways officials, including Eastern Railway General Manager Varun Bharthuar, also rushed to the accident site.
As a result of the accident, at least seven trains scheduled to leave Howrah and Sealdah stations were cancelled.
A helpline 03324611461 has been opened at Howrah station.
Locals were carrying out the rescue work, an official said.
