Dibrugarh Express accident HIGHLIGHTS: Result of the govt's mismanagement and negligence, says Rahul Gandhi

Bad weather affected the rescue operation for a while, but police and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) completed the task.

Restoration work is underway at the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express derailment site in Gonda.

As per North Eastern Railway General Manager Saumya Mathur, 2 people died and 31 got injured.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, on X, said, "The news of the death of many passengers due to derailment of Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh is extremely sad. I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families and hope for the speedy recovery of the injured. Congress workers are requested to provide all possible assistance in relief and rescue efforts. The continuous train accidents are extremely worrying and are the result of the government's mismanagement and negligence. The discussion with loco pilots a few days ago and the Railway Safety Commissioner's report on recent train accidents also make this clear. The government should immediately take full responsibility for this and tell the country its strategy for the safety of passengers and prevention of accidents."

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee said: "Sad to know of yet another tragic rail accident today, at Gonda, UP! Another derailment of train, this time of Chandigarh- Dibrugarh Express!  What are the railway authorities doing!!  What is the Government of India doing !! Safety and security of passengers are paramount !! When will the Government come to their senses ?! My condolences to the bereaved families, prayers for the injured."

Uttar Pradesh Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak says, "The Gonda train accident is very serious. Two people have lost their lives and 29 are injured. The injured are getting treated in the district hospital..."

On the Dibrugarh-Chandigarh Express accident, Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai said, "This is a matter of investigation. Many train-related incidents have happened. Train accidents are happening continuously, people are losing their lives... If anyone is the biggest culprit, then it is the Railway Minister. The Railway Minister should resign...The families of the deceased should be given a compensation of at least Rs 50-50 lakh..."

A passenger travelling in the Dibrugarh-Chandigarh Express claimed, "I had to go to Hajipur. There was a mild explosion (before the incident) and after that a strong jolt was felt and our coach derailed. We were coming from Chandigarh."

The Trinamool Congress has blamed Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for the derailment of the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express in Uttar Pradesh, which claimed four lives and left at least 20 people injured on Thursday. While the party's Rajya Sabha MP and national spokesperson Sushmita Dev said the railways, which serves as the primary mode of travel for millions, is no longer safe, TMC Krishnanagar MP Mahua Moitra commented that the railways appeared to have entered an "emergency room" phase after 10 years of the Narendra Modi government. "Another train derailment. This time the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express! Indian Railways, which is the primary mode of travel for crores of common people is no more safe!", Dev posted on X.

Railways ordered an investigation into the accident. A high-level (CRS) investigation team will probe the matter. The loco pilot of Dibrugarh Express claimed that he had heard the sound of an explosion moments before the derailment.

The government has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakhs for those killed in the Dibrugarh train derailment, Rs 2.5 lakhs for those who are grievously injured and Rs 50,000 who have received minor or simple injuries.

Union Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh on Dibrugarh-Chandigarh express derailment | "I have met all the officials. All the injured people have been sent to Mankapur CHC and Gonda. We are making arrangements to take the rest of the passengers to the main road and the administration is also making arrangements. A bus has been arranged for them so that they can reach Mankapur railway station. A special relief train will come from Gorakhpur and through this train, the passengers will be taken to their respective places..."

Railway says loco pilot heard explosion sound just before train derailment

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on X said, "The Kavach anti-collision system should be installed expeditiously on all routes across India to ensure enhanced safety measures and prevent accidents."

The following trains were diverted to run-

• 15707 Katihar-Amritsar Express was being diverted to run via Mankapur-Ayodhya-Barabanki.
• 15653 Guwahati-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Express was being diverted to run via Mankapur-Ayodhya-Barabanki
• 12598 Mumbai Gorakhpur Antyodaya Express was being run on diverted route
• 15204 Lucknow Barauni Express was being run on a diverted route
• 12532 Lucknow Gorakhpur Express was being run on a diverted route
• 15652 Jammu Tawi Guwahati Lohit Express was being run on diverted route
• 15910 Lalgarh Dibrugarh Avadh Assam Express was being run on diverted route
• 11123 Gwalior Barauni Express was being run on a diverted route
• 02570 New Delhi Darbhanga Express was being run on a diverted route
• 12566 New Delhi Darbhanga Bihar Sampark Kranti Express was being run on diverted route

The following trains are being diverted to run -

15707 Katihar-Amritsar Express is being diverted to run via Mankapur-Ayodhya-Barabanki.

15653 Guwahati-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Express is being diverted to run via Mankapur-Ayodhya-Barabanki.

According to the Railways, at least 13 trains have been affected. Some trains were cancelled and some  diverted to other routes.

UP Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak confirmed four death in the train accident.

The Railways in a statement said, "Due to the derailment of 15904 Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express on the down line between Motiganj-Jhilahi stations on the Barabanki-Gorakhpur railway section of North Eastern Railway, the accident relief medical vehicle from Gonda has reached the accident site. Relief and rescue work is being done on a war footing. Helpline numbers have been issued by the Railways for the help and other information of railway passengers."

Helpline numbers: 

• 1. Gonda - 8957400965
• 2. Lucknow - 8957409292
• 3. Siwan - 9026624251
• 4. Chhapra - 8303979217
• 5. Deoria Sadar - 8303098950

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw is currently in Mumbai. He is monitoring the rescue operations from Mumbai. Senior railway officials are sitting with the CEO of the Railway Board in the war room of Rail Bhavan and taking information about the developments.

According to the sources, over 20 people were injured and four lost their lives in the major train accident in Gonda.

A fleet of 15 ambulances rushed to the accident site in Gonda. There were around 40 members in the medical team.

The death count rose to two in a major train accident in Uttar Pradesh's Gonda after around 10 to 12 coaches of Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express derailed.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, in a post on X said, "The train accident in Gonda district is extremely sad. District administration officials have been directed to carry out relief and rescue operations on a war footing and to take the injured to the hospital on top priority and provide them a proper treatment. I pray to Lord Shri Ram for the speedy recovery of the injured."

On the Dibrugarh-Chandigarh express derailment, Pankaj Singh, CPRO, North Eastern Railway said, "A medical van of Railways has reached the spot and rescue operation has been started. Helpline numbers have been issued. It happened around 2.37 pm. As per initial info, 4-5 coaches derailed..."

In regard with the derailment of the Dibrugarh Express in Lucknow division of North Eastern Railways, the helpline numbers were issued.

• - Commercial Control : 9957555984
• - Furkating (FKG): 9957555966
• - Mariani (MXN): 6001882410
• - Simalguri (SLGR): 8789543798
• - Tinsukia (NTSK): 9957555959
• - Dibrugarh (DBRG): 9957555960

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has been briefed about the derailment of the Dibrugarh Express in Uttar Pradesh. He is monitoring the situation and the Government of Assam is in touch with relevant authorities, said the Assam CMO.

The administration sent a rescue team from Gonda to the accident site. According to the sources, most victims were travelling in four AC coaches which derailed.

One person died and several persons were injured in the accident. However, there is no information yet about how many people were injured. 

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took stock of the situation after Dibrugarh Express accident in Gonda.

A few bogies of Dibrugarh Express derailed near Uttar Pradesh's Gonda railway station.

At least 10 to 12 coaches of Dibrugarh Express going from Chandigarh to Dibrugarh have reportedly derailed near Jhilahi Railway Station near Gonda. According to sources, several passengers have been trapped.