LUCKNOW: As many as 20 coaches of the 19168 Sabarmati Express passenger train derailed near Govindpuri station in Kanpur during the wee hours of Saturday, rail officials said.
There is no report of any loss of life or injury in the accident.
North Central Railway (NCR) senior public relations officer Shashikant Tripathi told PTI that the accident occurred at 2.30 am. He said there is no report of loss of life or property.
The train was going from Varanasi to Ahmedabad. The train derailed between Kanpur and Bhimsen railway station. Rescue and relief operations are underway.
"The loco pilot said that some boulder hit the cattle guard (front portion) of the engine which got badly damaged and bent," a Railway Board official said the passengers were sleeping when the train stopped after a loud noise.
Meanwhile, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw claimed on X that the derailment of the Sabarmati Express was an act of sabotage. He posted that the engine of the train derailed after hitting an object deliberately placed on the tracks. Sharp impact marks were observed on the engine, and evidence has been secured at the site. He also informed that the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and Uttar Pradesh Police are actively investigating the incident.
"Shortly after the train departed from the Kanpur railway station, we heard a loud noise and the coach started shaking. I got very scared but the train stopped," one of the passengers Vikas told PTI video.
Vikas, who boarded the train from Varanasi and was headed for Ahmedabad, said that the train was moving at a very slow speed when it got derailed. As the train halted, the passengers started pouring out of their coaches.
Majority of them sat near the railway track waiting for help and called their family members to inform them about the incident.
"The police came almost an hour after the incident. We are waiting with our luggage on the side of the adjacent railway track," said another passenger.
Uttar Pradesh Relief Commissioner GS Naveen Kumar said, "Buses have been arranged for the passengers along with alternative arrangements for transportation and all passengers have been evacuated from the spot."
According to the Railways, seven trains have been cancelled and three diverted due to the derailment.
Tripathi said that buses were arranged to carry passengers from the accident site to the Kanpur Railway Station.
Besides, an eight coaches MEMU train departed from Kanpur to the accident site to carry passengers back to Kanpur so that further arrangements can be made to send them to their respective destinations, Tripathi said.
The Railways has issued the following helpline numbers:- Prayagraj: 0532-2408128, 0532-2407353, Kanpur: 0512-2323018, 0512-2323015, Mirzapur: 054422200097, Etawah: 7525001249, Tundla: 7392959702, Ahmedabad: 07922113977, Banaras City: 8303994411, Gorakhpur: 0551-2208088.
Besides, the following helpine numbers for Jhansi Rail Division have been released -: Virangana Lakshmibai Jhansi Jn) -0510-2440787 and 0510-2440790.
Orai -05162-252206, Banda-05192-227543, Lalitpur Jn - 07897992404