20 Coaches Of Sabarmati Express Derail Near Kanpur, No Casualties; Helpline Numbers Issued | LIVE

New Delhi: At least 20 coaches of the Sabarmati Express train - 19168 - derailed on early Saturday near Govindpuri Station in Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur. The train was enroute Ahmedabad in Gujarat from Varanasi. The incident took place around 2.30 AM.

On the information of railway staff, police and railway officials have reached the spot and a relief and rescue work is underway. Reports say some passengers have received minor injuries. However, the situation is still being analysed.

A railway crane has also left for the incident site to speed up the rescue process.

According to a passenger who was travelling in Sabarmati Express, the train derailed after a boulder hit the locomotive.

Kanpur DM Rakesh Kumar Singh said that 22 coaches of the Ahmdabad-bound Sabarmati Express have derailed.

Railways has dispatched several buses to the derailment site to shift passengers to the nearest railway station from where a special train will be arranged for them to their respective destinations.

Shashi Kant Tripathi, Chief Public Relation Officer (CPRO) of the North Central Railway Zone, under which the accident site falls, said that buses were arranged to carry passengers from the accident site to the Kanpur Railway Station.

"Besides, an eight coaches MEMU train departed from Kanpur to the accident site to carry passengers back to Kanpur so that further arrangements can be made to send them to their respective destinations," Tripathi said.

Emergency Helpline Numbers Issued

After the accident, Emergency contact numbers were issued by the Indian Railways for the Sabarmati Express. 

Prayagraj: 0532-2408128, 0532-2407353  
Kanpur: 0512-2323018, 0512-2323015  
Mirzapur: 05442-2200097  
Etawah:75250-01249  
Tundla: 73929-59702  
Ahmedabad: 079-2211-3977  
Banaras City: 83039-94411  
Gorakhpur: 0551-2208088

Train Driver Reveals Cause

According to the train's driver, a boulder hit the engine leading to the derailment of the train. This impact caused significant damage to the engine’s cattle guard. Meanwhile, The Indian Railways is currently investigating the incident.

On the information of railway staff, police and railway officials have reached the spot and a relief and rescue work is underway. Reports say some passengers have received minor injuries. However, the situation is still being analysed.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav Issues Statement

‘The engine of Sabarmati Express hit an object placed on the track and derailed near Kanpur at 02:35 am today, Sharp hit marks are observed. Evidences are protected and IB along with UP police is also working on it.' said Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav

‘No injuries to passengers or staff. Train arranged for passengers for onward journey to Ahmedabad.’ he added further