Breaking News: Major Accident as North East Express Derails in Bihar

Update: The accident claimed the lives of four individuals. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar announced a compensation of ₹4 lakhs for the families of the deceased.

Bihar, India – October  12, 2023: A devastating incident unfolded on the night of Wednesday, as the 12506 North East Express derailed on the Delhi-Howrah rail route. The derailment resulted in two coaches overturning and six coaches veering off the tracks. The casualty count has exceeded 60, with the possibility of more injuries emerging.

The accident occurred at Raghunathpur, situated between Buxar and Ara, at 9:35 PM. The train was en route from Delhi to Guwahati, making it a critical route for both passengers and freight.

In response to the emergency, railway rescue teams, along with officials from Buxar and Ara districts, have arrived at the scene, coordinating efforts to assist the affected passengers. According to Anshul Agrawal, the District Magistrate of Buxar, around 60 to 70 injured passengers have been transported to hospitals thus far.

Rescue operations, hindered by the darkness, are underway with the assistance of locals. Passengers trapped inside the coaches are being carefully evacuated using torchlight and then transported to hospitals. A team from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has also been dispatched from Bihar to support the rescue efforts.

As per latest reports, over 70 passengers have sustained injuries in the derailment, and two coaches have overturned.

In light of this tragic incident, all major hospitals in Ara, Buxar, and Patna have been placed on high alert. The railway authorities have sent rescue workers and medical teams to the site from Patna to ensure swift medical assistance to the injured.

Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav contacted the District Magistrate of Bhojpur, Rajkumar, to stay informed about the hospital preparations for treating the injured passengers. He provided necessary guidance for the treatment of the injured.

Following the derailment, several trains on the Delhi-Howrah route have been halted at various locations to manage the situation. Passengers traveling on trains like Anand Bihar Madhupur Badynath Dham Express, Vikramshila, New Barauni, Bikaner-Guwahati, Garib Rath, and Rajdhani should anticipate delays.

The railway authorities have released helpline numbers for those seeking information about the incident:

The investigation into the cause of the derailment is ongoing, as rescuers and medical teams work tirelessly to aid the injured passengers and restore normalcy to the affected rail route. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families during this trying time.