India: Kanpur Train Accident Kills 2 and 30 Injured.

India: Kanpur Train Accident Kills 2 and 30 Injured.

Fifteen coaches of the Sealdah-Ajmer express derailed near Kanpur early on Wednesday, killing two people and injuring 28 others.

Photo Source: deccanchronicle.com

Train no. 12987 Sealdah-Ajmer Express went off the tracks between Rura and Metha railway stations, about 50km from Kanpur, the ministry of railways said on Twitter.

"Personally monitoring the situation in the wake of unfortunate derailment of Sealdah-Ajmer Express near Kanpur," Prabhu said in a series of tweets.

"Thorough investigation will be carried out to ascertain the cause," he added.

The Railway Minister also said that he has directed senior officials to reach the accident site immediately.

"Immediate medical help being provided to the injured. Mobilised resources, directed all concerned to ensure rescue and relief," he said.

At least 40 passengers were injured as 15 coaches of the train derailed near Rura, 50 km from Kanpur.

The accident took place around 5.20 am. The cause is not known yet.

A passenger said he was woken up by a loud bang. "Our coach tilted to one side. I jumped out and saw a few coaches were derailed," Rizwan Chaudhary told Associated Press.

A medical relief train from Kanpur has been sent to the accident site. "Currently we are focusing on relief and rescue operations," Railway spokesperson Anil Saxena told reporters.

Javeed Ahmed, Uttar Pradesh's top police officer, said all the passengers have been brought out of the derailed coaches. Television images showed coaches lying on their sides.

"Thorough investigation will be carried out to ascertain the cause," Mr Prabhu said in another tweet, adding that he was personally monitoring the efforts.

This is a second rail accident in the region in two months. On November 20, nearly 150 passengers were killed in their sleep and nearly 200 injured after the Indore-Patna Express train slid off track near Kanpur.