Bikaner-Guwahati Express derailed in West Bengal's Jalpaiguri; 7 died & 45 injured

Guwahati-Bikaner Express was derailed near Domohani in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal on January 13. Seven passengers died while 45 passengers were injured in this mishap. Meanwhile, over 250 people were rescued from the train. All the injured were shifted to the Jalpaigudi District Hospital and New Moina Gudi district hospital for medical assistance. Train services were also disrupted on the route due to this incident.

Train number 15633 Guwahati-Bikaner Express, which was travelling from Bikaner (Rajasthan) towards the city of Guwahati (Assam) got derailed near Maynaguri town in Jalpaiguri district at around 5.15 pm of January 13. Around 12 coaches were derailed from the track. According to officials, few of the coaches toppled from the track, while, one coach was found on top of another. After this accident, 2 teams of National Disaster Response Force along with Railway and District officials immediately rushed to the spot to carry out the rescue operations. Panic situation arise among the locals of the area after the incident.

A total of 1,200 passengers were on board, including 177 passengers who boarded the train from Bikaner and 98 passengers who boarded the train from Patna junction. The injured were shifted to the Maynaguri and Jalpaiguri district hospitals by the rescue teams for medical attention.

Nine trains were diverted to alternate routes after this accident. Railway authority had also issued emergency helpline numbers: 03564 255190, 050 34666 and Guwahati No. 0361-273162, 2731622, 2731623. Eastern Railways issued emergency numbers for Rajasthan (01512725942), Assam (0361-2731621, 2731622, 2731623) and West Bengal (8134054999).

Later, a special train was operated by the railway for all the 1,050 passengers to ferry them to their respective destinations. As per reports, an amount of 5 lakh rupees compensation was announced for the passengers who died in this accident, while, 1 lakh rupees compensation was announced for passengers who were critically injured and rupees 25,000 compensation was announced for the minor injured passengers. A high-level inquiry was ordered after the accident for the further investigation.