Jharkhand Train Derailment: At least two people were killed and 20 others sustained injuries after 18 coaches of Mumbai-Howrah Mail derailed near Badabamboo in Jharkhand on Tuesday. According to media reports, the Howara-CSMT Express derailed near Chakradharpur, between Rajkharswan West Outer and Barabamboo in Jharkhand’s Chakradharpur division.

One passenger travelling in the B4 coach of Mumbai Howrah Mail has died. One more passenger is reported to be trapped in the B4 coach, and rescue of the same is underway, Information and Public Relations Department, Jharkhand, said.

SER spokesperson Om Prakash Charan said that there was another derailment of a goods train nearby, but it was not yet clear whether the two accidents occurred concurrently. “At least 18 coaches of the 22-coach 12810 Howrah-Mumbai Mail via Nagpur derailed near Barabamboo station in SER’s Chakradharpur division at 3.45 AM,” he said, as quoted by news agency PTI.

Of these, 16 were passenger coaches, one power car and one pantry car, he said. Charan said that injuries to some passengers were reported. “Six passengers were injured in the accident and provided medical aid in Barabamboo. They are now being taken to Chakradharpur for better treatment,” another senior SER official said.

A rescue operation was launched following the incident. The train accident was reported from Potobeda in the Kharsawan block of Seraikela-Kharsawan district, a local administration official said. “The Mumbai-Howrah Mail and a freight train were involved in the accident. The assessment of injured people is underway,” he added.

The locomotive involved in the incident is numbered 37077. The derailment occurred between the Rajkharswan West Outer and Barabamboo stations. Speaking on the incident, the Indian Railways has said that ARME with staff and ADRM CKP are present on site, and all the injured persons have been given first aid by the railway medical team.

Speaking on the train derailment, Central Railway CPRO Dr Swapnil Nila said, “… We have established helpline numbers at all en route stations… At Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj terminus the no. is 022 22 69 4040… At various en-route stations like Nagpur, Sevagram, Vardha, Busawal, Badnera, Shegao, the helpline numbers have also been established and these have been publicized from the social media handles. Nagpur station’s no. is 7757912790… Three trains have been cancelled, 22861 Howrah to Kantabaji Express, 08015 and 18019 Kharagpur to Dhanbad Express and 12021-12022 Howrah Barbel Express, these three trains have been cancelled… Three trains, 18114 Bilaspur to Tata Express have been short-terminated at Rourkela, 18190 Ernakulam to Tata Express has been short-terminated at Chakradarpur and 18011 Howda Chakradhurpur Express has been short-terminated at Adra…”.

“More than 80% of the passengers have been transferred by buses and other majors to nearby stations and they are being provided with a choice to travel further with a special rake… As of now, six passengers have sustained minor injuries and all of them have been provided with first aid,” he added.