'74 harmed as train derails in Auraiya district '

Lucknow, Aug 23 As many as 74 travelers were harmed as nine bogies of the Kafiyat Express derailed in UP's Auraiya district early today in the wake of dashing against a dumper carrying construction material for railway work, authorities here said.

In any case, the railways said 25 people were harmed in the incident and that the dumper did not have a place with them.

The train travelling from Azamgarh to Delhi slammed into the dumper at around 2:50 am amongst Pata and Achhalda railway stations, a representative for the North Central Railway (NCR) said.

Principal Secretary (Home) Arvind Kumar said 74 individuals were harmed of which received serious injuries and have been hurried to Saifai and Etawah hospitals.

Superintendent of Police, Auraiya, Sanjeev Tyagi additionally said that 74 travelers were harmed in the incident.

Kafiyat Express met with an accident at an unmanned railway crossing in view of a loader carrying sand for track work for committed cargo hall, Secretary, Home, Bhagwan Swarup said.

Rescue operations are finished and travelers have been moved to Achalda railway station and rescue train in arriving to take them to Delhi.

This is the second train accident in Uttar Pradesh in five days. On Saturday, a traveler train derailed in Muzaffaragar district leaving more than 22 dead and 156 others harmed.

"An unapproved dumper broke the railway fence and hit the engine of Kaifiyat Express causing crash," the Railway Ministry said in an announcement.

"There are no losses however 25 people have been harmed," the announcement said.

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu tweeted, "A dumper hit the train of the Kaifiyat Express, resulting in derailment.

A few travelers have received injuries and have been moved to nearby hospitals".

He said that he was specifically observing the circumstance and had guided senior authorities to achieve the site quickly.

Kaifiyat Express goes between Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh and Delhi and the crash has affected the prepare operations on the Delhi-Howrah course.

Five trains including Howrah-New Delhi Rajdhani have been occupied and seven trains including Kanpur-New Delhi Shatabdi express have been crossed out. Since both UP and DOWN lines are obstructed, around 40 local trains were also being diverted.

On getting information about the incident, senior authorities hurried to the mishap site which goes under Acchalda police station, around 180 km from Lucknow.

Additional forces and ambulance were hurried to the spot from Auraiya, Etawah and Kannauj, while NDRF group was dispatched from Lucknow to offer help to the victims. A medical train and a relief train have been dispatched from Allahabad to the mishap site.

A representative for NCR said rescue operations have been finished up and all harmed were sent to healing centers close-by.

Extra powers and rescue vehicle were hurried to the spot from Auraiya, Etawah and Kannauj while NDRF group was dispatched from Lucknow to give aid to the casualties.