Muzaffarnagar/Bhubaneswar: The death toll in the derailment of 14 coaches of Puri-Haridwar Kalinga Utkal Express near Khatauli railway station at Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh this evening rose to 19 while 60 passengers were injured, according to the chief public relation officer (Norther Railways).
Official sources said medical van from Delhi, Saharanpur and Accident Relief Train from Ambala were rushed to the spot and buses arranged to ferry the stranded passengers.
Five persons from Bhubaneswar had traveled beyond Muzaffarnagar. They were identified as Bulu Palay, Rosa Bisoi, Banita K Padhi, Prafulla Mohanty and Utpal.
Following the derailment, 18478 Haridwar-Puri Kalinga Utkal Express leaving Haridwar on Sunday has been cancelled, the sources added.
Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu, who had earlier tweeted that he was monitoring the situation closely and announced compensation for the family of the deceased and the injured, later informed that the rescue operation had been completed and all injured shifted to hospital. Restoration work will start now, he added.
Rescue operations completed. Have directed Railway Doctors to visit the injured in hospitals and ensure best possible medical help.
— Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) August 19, 2017
Restoration work commenced. First coach, rerailed at 2355 hrs. My heart goes out for the families,kin of the deceased and injured.
— Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) August 19, 2017
