Washout of track led to derailment of two trains: Suresh Prabhu

The incident is very unfortunate.

Speaking to CNN-IBN, Trivedi said, “Don’t need bullet trains, India needs better tracks to prevent casualties in train accidents”. However, the toll has been put at 24 by a Madhya Pradesh government spokesperson at the accident site.

Railway has roped in NGOs and other agencies to promote sanitation, he said, adding that there was also a plan to harness the support of religious leaders to create awareness about cleanliness.

The Madhya Pradesh government has said that at least 28 people have died. We were monitoring the situation throughout the night.

The accident took place while the train was crossing the bridge on the Machak River, where the water level was high due to heavy rainfall said a senior official in Mumbai.

Railway ministry sources said apart from the 12 bodies recovered from the coaches, there are around 12 more bodies found half a kilometer away from where the trains derailed, in the fields nearby and elsewhere. Another ARMV reached Khirkiya station at 0325 hours. He also said a compensation of Rs 2 lakh will be given to the family of the deceased while Rs 50, 000 will be given to those critically injured. He said that all passengers have been rescued and those with minor injuries were provided with first aid.

Prabhu then started reading out from what appeared to be a full-page statement but the continued slogan shouting drowned his voice. Chairman Hamid Ansari said this was a procedural matter and members should allow the minister to make the statement.

Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad was seen calming down Congress members as Mr Prabhu hastily said his junior minister were going to the accident site and left the House.