Kamayani Express, Janata Express derail in Madhya Pradesh: All you need to know

Tragedy struck the Indian Railways again when two trains, the Janata Express and Kamayani Express, derailed in the same area in Madhya Pradesh late on Tuesday night. Here’s what we know so far: Two trains derailed near the same spot The Kamayani Express and Janata Express derailed near Harda, around 160 km from Bhopal, around 11:45 pm last night. The Kamayani Express was en route to Varanasi from Mumbai while the Janata Express was going from Jabalpur to Mumbai. The trains were running in opposite directions on adjoining tracks The derailment took place near Khirkiya and Harda station on Machak river, an official told PTI. [caption id=“attachment_2379282” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Ibnlive image[/caption] Death toll MP Government spokesman Anupam Rajan said, “29 bodies, including those of 13 men, 11 women and five children have been recovered so far.” The Railway Ministry has ordered an inquiry into the twin derailment and announced an enhanced ex-gratia of Rs two lakh each to the next of the kin of deceased. Over 250 passengers have been rescued, a railway official said. Train coaches fell into Machak river According to Central Railway PRO Piyush Mathur, seven coaches of Kamayani Express and three bogies and the locomotive of the Rajendra Nagar(Patna)-Mumbai Janata Express derailed. Why did it happen? Heavy rains and water logging are suspected to have washed away the material holding the tracks as a result of which the derailment took place. “There was water on tracks and the bridge was submerged. So the last bogies of Kamayani Express got derailed. Simultaneously, on the other track the engines and coaches of the Janata Express also got derailed,” Railway spokesperson Anil Saxena said. NDTV  quoted railway officials as saying that the ‘base material’ of the tracks has been washed away in the heavy rains. The Railway Board chairman said a possible burst in a nearby dam which resulted in the track material being washed away. “According to reports, there was a possible burst in a nearby dam which caused sudden flow of water on the tracks and that resulted in the derailment,” Railway Board Chairman AK Mittal told PTI. An accident relief train has reached the spot and several survivors have been brought to a nearby station. A passenger of Kamayni Express, Akhilesh Pratap Singh told PTI that he along with over 150 passengers, travelling in the general class coach, were stranded on a hilltop to save themselves. What the Railway Minister said “Rushing emergency medical & other relief personnel to spot. darkness, water creating hurdles but ordered all possible help. Trying our best (sic), " Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu tweeted. He said efforts were underway to pull back the bogies. “We r gearing up all possible help on basis of info, will not spare any efforts,” he tweeted. He said Railway administration and MP govt are working together to rescue passengers of Kamyani express accident. He further said that GM, DRM,RPF and medical staff have been directed to rush to the spot. Helplines to call The railways has announced the following helplines: Itarsi - 07572 241920 Bina - 07580 222052 Harda - 09752460088 Bhopal - 0755 4001609 with inputs from agencies