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India train crash: deaths feared as two services derail and carriages fall in river India train crash: multiple deaths as two express services derail at bridge
(about 3 hours later)
Multiple casualties were feared after two trains derailed within minutes of each other while crossing a bridge in central India, with carriages reportedly falling into the river below. Multiple deaths have been reported after two trains derailed within minutes of each other while crossing a river bridge in central India.
One of the trains was on its way to Mumbai when the accident happened in Madhya Pradesh state, while the other was travelling in the opposite direction, the Press Trust of India (PTI) news agency reported.One of the trains was on its way to Mumbai when the accident happened in Madhya Pradesh state, while the other was travelling in the opposite direction, the Press Trust of India (PTI) news agency reported.
It was not clear how many passengers the trains had been carrying or whether there were any deaths. However PTI quoted a railways official as saying some casualties were feared. Rescuers searched in darkness through the night for passengers feared trapped in the carriages. As the effort continued, the railway ministry said there had been at least 20 people killed and more than 100 injured. It appeared that the toll would continue to rise.
PTI reported that the river below the bridge crossing had been swollen and there had been water on the tracks. West Central Railway spokesman Piyush Mathur said several hundred people were rescued after the accident near the town of Harda at about 11.30pm on Tuesday.
Related: Dozens die in Indian train crash One of the trains travelling from the financial city of Mumbai appeared to have been hit by a sudden surge of water on the swollen Machak river, derailing the last four to five carriages, railway ministry spokesman Anil Saxena said.
“Rushing emergency medical and other relief personnel to spot, darkness, water creating hurdles but ordered all possible help. Trying our best,” India’s railway minister, Suresh Prabhu, said on Twitter. The other passenger train, travelling to Mumbai from the eastern city of Patna, was also hit by water, with the engine and the first two to three carriages derailing, he said.
“There is some suggestion of flash floods on the tracks that caved the tracks. Most of the coaches had passed but the last few carriages were derailed,” Saxena said of the first train. The entire area has been reeling under heavy rainfall for the last few days.”
The Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi, said the situation was “deeply distressing”.
The two train accidents in Madhya Pradesh are deeply distressing. Deeply pained over the loss of lives. Condolences to families of deceased.
India’s railway minister, Suresh Prabhu, said emergency medical and other relief personnel were being rushed in but the darkness and water were creating difficulties.
Television footage showing medical supplies being piled on a nearby station platform and rescuers combing through tilted carriages.
Twin train derailments in Madhya Pradesh; 10 bogies of Kamayani Express fall into Machak river pic.twitter.com/N4d8si4e33Twin train derailments in Madhya Pradesh; 10 bogies of Kamayani Express fall into Machak river pic.twitter.com/N4d8si4e33
The Xinhua news agency of China said it was told by an official that several carriages went into the water and each had seats for more than 70 people. Related: Dozens die in Indian train crash
Monsoon rains have hit large swathes of the country in recent weeks, flooding rivers and roads and claiming scores of lives in mainly western and eastern India.
India’s railway network, one of the world’s largest, is still the main form of long-distance travel in the vast country but it is poorly funded and deadly accidents are frequent.India’s railway network, one of the world’s largest, is still the main form of long-distance travel in the vast country but it is poorly funded and deadly accidents are frequent.
In 2012 a government report said almost 15,000 people were killed every year on India’s railways, describing the deaths as an annual “massacre” due mainly to poor safety standards.In 2012 a government report said almost 15,000 people were killed every year on India’s railways, describing the deaths as an annual “massacre” due mainly to poor safety standards.
India’s government has pledged to invest $137bn to modernise its crumbling railways, making them safer, faster and more efficient.India’s government has pledged to invest $137bn to modernise its crumbling railways, making them safer, faster and more efficient.
Agence France-Presse contributed to this reportAgence France-Presse contributed to this report