3 dead as Vasco Da Gama-Patna Express derails in Uttar Pradesh, officials say track was broken

Three people were killed and nine were seriously injured after 13 coaches of Vasco Da Gama-Patna express derailed near Manikpur railway station in Uttar Pradesh’s Chitrakoot early on Friday morning. (Live updates)

According to senior Railways officials, initial investigations suggest the track was fractures, causing the train to go off the rails near platform 2 of Manikpur railway station at 4:18am.

“We inspected the site along with senior railway officials. It seems there was a fracture in railway track on which the ill-fated Vasco Da Gama derailed. The Commissioner Railway Safety has been assigned the task of enquiry after which the actual reason of the accident will be determined,” said MC Chauhan, general manager of North Central railway zone (NCR).

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Chauhan and Railway Board chairman Ashwani Lohani reached the site for an inspection around 9:45am.

The NCR officer said six of the injured had been sent to Allahabad in a special train equipped with medical facilities and accompanies by doctors. The remaining are being treated at Chitrakoot district hospital.

The 13 derailed coaches comprise S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, S8, S9, S10, S11, two extra sleeper coaches and two general coaches.

According to per reports, the driver and the guard of the train have been detained for questioning at the railway officers guest house in Manikpur.

The divisional railway manager (DRM), Allahabad SK Pankaj was also present on the site of accident.

A compensation of Rs 5 lakh has been announced for the dead and Rs 1 lakh for injured.

Two of the victims were identified as Deepak Patel and his father Ram Swaroop from Betia, Bihar. The third person succumbed to his injuries later.

(With agency inputs)