Tragedy struck in Bihar’s Raghunathpur station, in Buxar district on Wednesday night, as six coaches of the Delhi-Kamakhya North East Express derailed, leading to the loss of at least four lives and injuring around 70 passengers.
The derailment, which took place at 9:53 pm, resulted in two AC III Tier coaches toppling over while four other coaches went off the tracks.
Take a look:
#buxar train accident#bihar #buxar #raghunathpur train accident 😭 pic.twitter.com/6FNbUfYUu9
— Satwik Singh Rajput (@SatwikK46864132) October 11, 2023
बक्सर ट्रेन हादसे में किशनगंज के युवक की मौत, कोचाधामन के सपटिया बिशनपुर का रहने वाला था अबूजैद नाम का युवक, दिल्ली से लौटने के दौरान हादसा, इस हादसे में खाताटोली के नासिर नाम के युवक गंभीर रुप से जख्मी। #TrainAccident #Buxar #Bihar #NorthEastExpress@yadavtejashwi @NitishKumar pic.twitter.com/er2EyKEPXt
— Dilnawaz Alam (@DiLNawazkne) October 11, 2023
Four passengers were reported to have lost their lives, and approximately 70 injured individuals were transported to local hospitals, with more severely wounded passengers rushed to AIIMS in Patna.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw expressed his condolences for those who lost their stating that an investigation will be held in order to find out the root cause of the derailment.
Here’s his tweet:
Deepest condolences for the irreparable loss. Will find the root cause of derailment.
— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) October 11, 2023
The 12506 North East Express, comprising 23 coaches, had begun its journey from Delhi’s Anand Vihar terminal at 7:40 am on Wednesday, heading for Kamakhya, situated around six kilometres from Guwahati, in what was a nearly 33-hour trip.
Eyewitnesses stated that the train was travelling at a normal speed before a loud sound was heard, followed by a plume of smoke emerging from the train. The AC coaches were the most significantly damaged. Local residents were quick to respond, aiding passengers and rescuing them from the derailed coaches. Police personnel were also present, contributing to the rescue efforts.
The incident occurred less than half an hour after the train had departed from Buxar station on its way to Ara, near the Raghunathpur station, which was not a scheduled stop.
Immediate relief efforts were initiated, involving ambulances and doctors dispatched to the site. Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav issued a statement, directing disaster management and health departments to provide rapid relief and mobilizing district magistrates from Buxar and Bhojpur to aid in the relief work.
In response to the incident, alternative arrangements were set in motion to assist passengers in reaching their destinations. A scratch rake, with a configuration akin to the original train, was dispatched from Patna for passenger evacuation, alongside six buses sent to ensure their safety.
Authorities organized an additional rake from Ara to facilitate the onward journey of stranded passengers. Medical teams were dispatched, and local hospitals in Buxar town were alerted for potential emergencies. The railways also established emergency helpline numbers for passenger assistance.
The situation prompted the establishment of war rooms to monitor and expedite the restoration of coaches, while rescue operations remained in full swing. In response to the incident, at least 18 trains, including the Delhi to Dibrugarh Rajdhani Express, were rerouted.
Helpline numbers
PNBE – 9771449971
DNR – 8905697493
ARA – 8306182542
COML CNL – 7759070004
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