Six dead, many injured after New Farakka Express derails in Raebareli

Raebareli: At least six people were killed as eight coaches and the engine of the New Farakka Express (14003) derailed near Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday morning, Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of Northern Railway Satish Kumar said.

The accident took place near Harchandpur at around 6:05 a.m., he said.

A team of doctors in an accident relief medical van has been rushed to the site in Lucknow and emergency helpline numbers have been set up at the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya junction, Mughalsarai, officials said.

All up and down lines on the route have been blocked and officials suspect that the number of casualty may rise.

Previously, the railways had said that six coaches have derailed.

Meanwhile, sources said Indian Railway Board Chairman Ashwani Lohani was on his way to the accident site.

Taking note of the incident, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed the District Magistrate, the Superintendent of Police, health authorities and the NDRF to provide all possible assistance to relief and rescue operations, an official spokesman said.

The Chief Minister expressed his condolences for the deceased and directed to the Director General of Police to take all necessary action, he added.