At least five passengers were killed and more than 60 injured, several critically, when nine bogies of the Bangalore-Ernakulam Inter City Express derailed near here today after a boulder fell on the track.
As per railway officials, about nine coaches of the Bangalore City-Ernakulam Intercity Express have been derailed in the mishap that took place between Anekal-Hosur on the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border at around 7.40 am.
Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu has announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakhs to the next of the kin who lost lives in the mishap, Rs 50,000 for grievously injured passengers and Rs 20,000 for those who sustained less injuries.
Law Minister Sadananda Gowda said 8-9 casualties have been reported and all injured persons have been evacuated.
Railway sources said that the three bodies have been removed from the coach and are yet to be identified. According to railway sources, D-7 and D-8 general compartment coaches are the worst affected and initial investigations reveal that the train may have come to an abrupt halt that has led to derailment of nine coaches.
Sources pointed out that the section between Anekal and Hosur was a slow section and was also a part of elephant corridor and hence trains moved slowly. However, the reasons could be established only after the technical team completed it’s probe.
The Karnataka government has rushed several ambulances to the spot and launched rescue operations.
The injured trapped in derailed bogies were being pulled out and rushed to hospitals in Bengaluru and nearby Hosur, sources said.
Two teams of the National Disaster Response Force have been rushed to the spot.
The Bangalore City-Ernakulam Intercity Express had left Bengaluru at 0615 hrs and derailed at 0735 hrs between Anekal Road and Hosur on Bangalore City-Salem Section, Railways said.
Helpdesks have been set up at Bangalore City Railway Station and at the accident site.
Bangalore city helpdesk numbers are 080-22371166, 080-22156553, 080-22156554, 9731666751. Accident site number is 9448090599.
