Three from Odisha injured in Utkal Express derailment

Bhubaneswar: The East Coast Railways (ECoR) on Sunday put the death toll in Utkal Express derailment near Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh at 21. Identity of five of the deceased has been ascertained and none is from Odisha.
However, three passengers among the 130 injured in the accident had boarded the train from the state. They were identified as Sabita Mallick of Balasore, Madhu Mandal and Indo-Tibetan Border Force (ITBP) jawan Mubarak Ali. While Sabita is being treated at Muzzarfarnagar Medical College, Madho has been admitted to the Muzzarfarnagar district hospital. Five from Odisha had reportedly traveled beyond Muzzarfarnagar, EcoR sources said.
“As many as 21 passengers were killed in the accident. Of the total 130 passengers were injured, 97 are undergoing treatment at various hospitals including Muzzarfarnagar Civil Hospital and Anand Hospital, Meerut Hospital. The passengers, who have sustained minor injuries in the mishap, are being discharged after preliminary treatment,” ECoR Chief PRO Nirakar Das said.
Meanwhile, the Odisha government has deputed a medical team, comprising Surgery Specialist Dr Niranjan Mishra, Orthopaedician Dr Kanhei Mohapatra, Medicine Specialist Dr Rajib Jena, Pharmacist Kedar Jena, along with medicines to Muzaffarnagar to take care of the injured.
A five-member team led by Transport Minister Nrushingha Sahoo along with Health Minister Pratap Jena will also visit the accident site in Muzaffarnagar to assess the situation.
Railway officials said six coaches of Sleeper Class coaches have been worst affected in the derailment. The rescue operation has been completed and the track repairing work is underway on a war footing under the supervision of senior officials.
“We are in contact with the northern railway. We have cancelled four trains in Odisha and six more trains were diverted following the accident. The situation will be normal today,” Das said.
The following trains have been cancelled and diverted.
Cancellation:
18478 Haridwar – Puri Utkal Express from Haridwar on 20.08.2017
18477 Puri-Haridwar Utkal Express from Puri on 22.08.2017.
Diversion:
18477 Puri-Haridwar Utkal Express left Puri on 18.08.2017 will run on diverted route via Hazrat Nizamuddin-Shamli-Tapri Station route.