This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-38047598

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
India train: Rescuers comb through mangled wreckage India train: Rescuers end search for survivors at crash site
(about 3 hours later)
Rescuers are combing through mangled wreckage after a train derailed in India's northern Uttar Pradesh state. Rescue workers have called off the search for survivors in the wreckage of the train that derailed in India's northern Uttar Pradesh state, according to police.
At least 133 people died when the Indore-Patna Express came off the rails at 03:00 local time on Sunday (21:30 GMT Saturday), near the city of Kanpur. At least 142 people died when the Indore-Patna Express came off the rails at 03:00 local time on Sunday (21:30 GMT Saturday), near the city of Kanpur.
The death toll could rise further as rescuers continue work, and with many of the injured in critical conditions. The railway ministry has listed 180 of the more than 200 people injured.
The cause of the crash is not known, although reports said a fractured rail could be to blame. The cause of the crash is unknown, but some reports point to a fractured rail.
Train accidents are fairly common in India, where much of the rail infrastructure and rolling stock is out of date. Not all of the victims have been identified yet, leaving relatives to search for missing family members at nearby hospitals and at the crash site. At least 58 people are said to be in critical condition.
Early on Monday the railway ministry published a list of names of injured passengers. Out of the 180 listed, 56 were said to be "grievously injured". Train accidents are fairly common in India, where much of the rail infrastructure and rolling stock is out of date, but Sunday's crash was the deadliest in 14 years.
Why do India's trains keep going off the rails?Why do India's trains keep going off the rails?
In pictures: Train derailmentIn pictures: Train derailment
'Mangled beyond recognition' - Zubair Ahmed, BBC Hindi, Indore-Patna Express crash site'Mangled beyond recognition' - Zubair Ahmed, BBC Hindi, Indore-Patna Express crash site
Hundreds are taking part in the rescue operation, using machines to cut through the mangled metal or using their bare hands to remove the debris, as police hold back curious onlookers from nearby villages. Hundreds took part in the rescue operation, using machines to cut through the mangled metal or using their bare hands to remove the debris, as police held back curious onlookers from nearby villages.
Two carriages are completely smashed up beyond recognition. Several other carriages are hanging off the tracks precariously. Two carriages were completely smashed up beyond recognition. Several other carriages were hanging off the tracks precariously.
Personal effects of passengers - bags, clothes, water bottles - are strewn all over the place. I can see a woman's red dress hanging off the roof of a carriage. Personal effects of passengers - bags, clothes, water bottles - were strewn all over the place. I saw a woman's red dress hanging off the roof of a carriage.
Officials are saying that those still trapped in the wreckage are probably dead by now. Two giant cranes tried to remove carriages that had already been cleared of bodies, but it proved difficult due to the heavy damage. I saw one carriage that was being lifted up suddenly fall to the ground - the crane could not handle it properly.
There are two giant cranes trying to remove carriages that have already been cleared of bodies, but it's proving difficult because they're badly damaged. I saw one carriage that was being lifted up suddenly fall to the ground - the crane could not handle it properly. Late on Monday, rescue crews lifted the last of 14 wrecked cars from the tracks. No other bodies were found underneath the wreckage.
The derailment had the strongest impact on the first two carriages of the train, which crashed into each other and overturned. Most of the victims were located in these carriages. Zaki Ahmed, the police inspector general in Kanpur, confirmed the rescue operations were over.
According to the Indian Express the carriages were outdated. The report said the government had promised earlier this year to upgrade all trains. A spokesman for the railway added: "The rail line has been cleared and some restoration work is on. The line will be fit for traffic in few hours from now."
The train may have also been carrying far more passengers that it was supposed to, reports said. The crash happened on one of India's busiest rail junctions. According to the Indian Express the carriages were outdated. The report said the government had promised earlier this year to upgrade all trains.
Although the official number of passengers was about 1,200, the Times of India said as many as another 500 could have been on the train without tickets, citing unnamed railway officials as sources. A railway spokesperson also noted the train had been carrying far more passengers that it was supposed to.
Survivors, most of whom were sleeping at the time of the crash, described horrific scenes. Although the official number of passengers on board was about 1,200, the Times of India said as many as another 500 could have been on the train without tickets, citing unnamed railway officials as sources.
"I woke up suddenly around 3.10am and felt a tremor. The train came to a screeching halt. All of a sudden, I was crushed under a crowd of people… everyone was screaming for help," survivor Yaqoob Ahmed told the Hindustan Times. Passengers, most of who were sleeping at the time of the crash, described horrific scenes.
"There was a loud sound like an earthquake. I fell from my berth and a lot of luggage fell over me,'' another passenger named Ramchandra Tewari was quoted by AP as saying. "I thought I was dead, and then I passed out.'' One survivor, Ravish Kumar told the BBC, he was jolted awake when the the train suddenly stopped: "My cousin and I were sleeping in a different coach than my family. This decision saved our lives.
Anxious relatives of missing passengers have reached the scene. One man from Patna said he spotted a hand sticking out in the debris wearing a ring which he recognised as his brother's. "We woke up when the train suddenly stopped and we all fell on the floor of the coach. I went out and saw the coach my family was in had broken into three pieces.
"Five members of family - including my mother, sister, uncle and grandmother - died in the accident."
Another man from Patna said he spotted a hand sticking out in the debris wearing a ring which he recognised as his brother's.
"I'm certain that it's my brother's body but it's not been removed yet," he told the BBC."I'm certain that it's my brother's body but it's not been removed yet," he told the BBC.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: "Anguished beyond words on the loss of lives due to the derailing of the Patna-Indore express. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who expressed his condolences, promised compensation to the victims' relatives and injured passengers, and said he had spoken to Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu.
"Prayers with those injured in the tragic train accident."
Mr Modi also promised compensation to the victims' relatives and injured passengers, and said he had spoken to Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu.
On his own Twitter account, Mr Prabhu warned that "strictest possible action will be taken against those who could be responsible for accident".On his own Twitter account, Mr Prabhu warned that "strictest possible action will be taken against those who could be responsible for accident".
India's worst rail disastersIndia's worst rail disasters
Bihar, 6 Jun 1981: 250 deaths confirmed as passenger train derails on a bridge and plunges into the Baghmati river. Hundreds more are never found, with an estimated death toll ranging from 500 to 800Bihar, 6 Jun 1981: 250 deaths confirmed as passenger train derails on a bridge and plunges into the Baghmati river. Hundreds more are never found, with an estimated death toll ranging from 500 to 800
Firozabad, 20 Aug 1995: 358 people are killed as an express train hits a stationary express trainFirozabad, 20 Aug 1995: 358 people are killed as an express train hits a stationary express train
Khanna, 26 Nov 1998: At least 212 killed as a train collides with a derailed trainKhanna, 26 Nov 1998: At least 212 killed as a train collides with a derailed train
Gaisal, Assam, 2 Aug 1999: At least 290 killed as two trains carrying a total of 2,500 people collideGaisal, Assam, 2 Aug 1999: At least 290 killed as two trains carrying a total of 2,500 people collide
Rafiganj, 10 Sept 2002: Rajdhani Express derails on bridge, killing at least 130Rafiganj, 10 Sept 2002: Rajdhani Express derails on bridge, killing at least 130
West Midnapore, West Bengal, 28 May 2010: The Calcutta-Mumbai passenger train derails, killing at least 100. Police blame Maoist sabotage of the trackWest Midnapore, West Bengal, 28 May 2010: The Calcutta-Mumbai passenger train derails, killing at least 100. Police blame Maoist sabotage of the track
Kanpur is a major railway junction and hundreds of trains pass through it every day.
Last year, the government announced investments of $137bn (£111bn) over five years to modernise and expand the railways.
Were you near the derailment? Did you witness the crash? Let us know about your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:
·WhatsApp: +44 7525 900971
·Tweet: @BBC_HaveYourSay
·Send an SMS or MMS to +44 7624 800 100
Or please use the form below: