Twin train derailments in Madhya Pradesh kill 20

At least 12 people died after two passenger trains derailed within minutes of each other in central India, officials said Wednesday. Harda district officials said, water was flowing over the tracks when the last five bogies of Kamayani Express derailed.

The Prime Minister’s tweet came soon after he received information about at least ten bogies of two passenger trains being derailed and falling into a river near Harda in Madhya Pradesh late on Tuesday night.

Railways today ordered an inquiry into the twin train derailments in Harda in Madhya Pradesh which have left 24 passengers dead and ordered compensation for the families of the victims. The toll is expected to rise as rescue operations are still underway.

Anil Saxena, a spokesperson for Indian Railways, said the bridge was partially submerged as the water level of the river was high due to heavy rain over the past two weeks.

“Seven bogies of Kamayani Express including the engine plus three coaches of Janata Express were derailed between Khirkiya and Bhirangi stations near Harda”, Mathur said.

Mittal told NDTV, an Indian broadcasting network, that the flash flood shifted the soil, causing the culvert and the tracks to collapse. “Most of the coaches had passed but the last few carriages were derailed”, Mr Saksena said. “Trying our best”, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said on Twitter shortly after the accident.

According to news reports, rescue team and doctors have been reached to the site where the accident took place.

Kumar said that search operation has been launched in nearby areas to find people who might have got washed away in heavy floods.

Meanwhile the Railway Ministry has directed senior officials to ensure emergency services such as medical help and food at the accident spot. However, many parts of the vast network are poorly maintained and accidents are common.

In 2012 a government report said nearly 15,000 people were killed every year on India’s railways, describing the deaths as an annual “massacre” due mainly to poor safety standards.