Live: 30 dead in MP twin train derailment, over 25 still missing

Railway Minister calls derailment ’natural calamity’

Speaking to CNN-IBN outside the Parliament, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said that the derailment in Madhya Pradesh could not have been avoided because it was a natural calamity. 

He said all possible help was being extended by the Centre for rescue operations. 

terrorists hold 3ppl hostage near Udhampur aftr attacking a BSF convoy. Army joins the op. Home Min says advisory had been issued @ibnlive

— Palki Sharma (@palkisu) August 5, 2015

Shivraj Chouhan headed to accident site

Madhya Pradesh CM Shivrah Chouhan is headed to Harda where the Janata and Kamayani Express trains derail killing 30. He says he will speak to the media after taking stock of the situation. 

I'm going to accident site, will talk after taking stock of situation: MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan pic.twitter.com/HUxp6JcdyZ

— ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2015

Priority of railways should be safety, says Pawan Bansal

Former Railways Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal criticised the government over the Harda tragedy saying that its priority was bullet trains when infrastructure was not in place. 

Priority of Railways should be safety & convenience to passengers,2 imp things which have to be concentrated upon:Frmr Rail Min Pawan Bansal

— ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2015

This Govt seems to be giving priority to that (bullet trains),but for common man 100% accident avoidance is required: Pawan Bansal

— ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2015

Rescue operations in last leg, death toll at 30

The search operations in the Janata and Kamayani express train tragedy has reached the last leg and the railways has told CNN-IBN that at least 300 people have been rescued. 

Even as it began raining again near the accident spot, it is likely to hamper rescue operations. Reports suggest that 30 people have died so far in the accident, among them five were children. 

Rajya Sabha pays homage to the deceased

Suresh Prabhu makes statement in Rajya Sabha

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu made a statement in Rajya Sabha over the Janata Express and Kamayani Express derailment, but his words were drowned by the repeated slogans of “we want justice” by opposition MPs.

Death toll at 30, 35 trains cancelled

MoS Railway has told CNN-IBN that 35 trains have been cancelled and 4 trains have been diverted after the Kamayani and Janata Express tragedy in Madhya Pradesh’s Harda. 

The news channel also said that 30 people have died so far. The accident happened because flood waters washed away tthe soil from underneath the tracks, making them crack.

Mallikarjun Kharge criticises Railway Ministry

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge today criticised the railway ministry for not taking enough precaution during the monsoon season after the Janata Express and Kamayani Express derailment. 

Railway should tk precautions during rains,winters or flood situation,why ws this forsightedness nt shown by Railway Min?Mallikarjun Kharge

— ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2015

Some passengers still stuck

While the Railway Board chief had said earlier said that all passengers had been rescued from the twin train derailment accident spot, CNN-IBN reports that some people are still stranded.

Death toll rises to 28

Reports suggest that the death toll in the twin train derailment in Harda has risen to 28.

UPDATE: Death toll of twin train derailment in MP reaches 28.

— ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2015

Help came after 3 hours, says eye witness 

Speaking to NDTV, an eye witness and passenger of one of the trains said, " We were woken up by a sudden jerk. We realised something had happened. We opened the doors of the bodey and saw there was water everywhere. Help came after almost three hours."

Road leading to Harda accident spot too has caved in

_CNN-IBN’_s Shreya Dhoundial, who is reporting from the accident spot in Harda, says that it was not just the ground under the railway tracks that caved in causing the Kamayani, Janata Express train derailemt killing 27 so far, but the road leading to the accident spot too has caved in. 

Not just the rail track..parts of the road leading up to Harda seem to hv caved in as well..MP #Train Tragedy pic.twitter.com/5lnlkXgixy

— Shreya Dhoundial (@shreyadhoundial) August 5, 2015

Trains diverted, rescheduled after accident

Several trains have been derailed and diverted because of the derailment in Harda. For those travelling by train today, Central Railways is continuously tweeting out all the diversions and reschedules. 

WCR derailment - Trains Update-3@RailMinIndia @sureshpprabhu pic.twitter.com/R4fqOmwkOf

— Central Railway (@Central_Railway) August 5, 2015

WCR derailment - Trains Update-4@RailMinIndia @sureshpprabhu @drmmumbaicr @BhusavalDivn pic.twitter.com/ghEjzyynyu

— Central Railway (@Central_Railway) August 5, 2015

WCR derailment - Trains Update-5@RailMinIndia @sureshpprabhu @drmmumbaicr @BhusavalDivn pic.twitter.com/jNjpN8iz8p

— Central Railway (@Central_Railway) August 5, 2015

WCR derailment - Trains Update-6@RailMinIndia @sureshpprabhu @drmmumbaicr @BhusavalDivn pic.twitter.com/Ov4XtT86iW

— Central Railway (@Central_Railway) August 5, 2015

WCR derailment - Trains Update-7@RailMinIndia @sureshpprabhu @drmmumbaicr @BhusavalDivn pic.twitter.com/AjL0cQEuTl

— Central Railway (@Central_Railway) August 5, 2015

Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan to visit accident spot today

Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan to visit the spot of twin train derailment incident, today.

— ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2015

Soil underneath tracks shifted causing cracks, says MoS Railway

According to CNN-IBN, MoS Railway has said that the black cotton soil beneath railway tracks shifted because of rains, that in turn caused cracking of the tracks in Harda.

Death toll rises to 27

Twin train derailment in MP: Death toll rises to 27 including 11 females, 11 males & 5 children.

— ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2015

Trains detached from derailed bogies, moved to Itarsi junction

Railway PRO Anil Saxena tells Times Now that the trains have been detached from the derail bogies and have been brough to Itarsi junction. Passengers from both the trains, according to him, have been taken to Itarsi and have been given drinking water and food.

President Pranab Mukherjee condoles loss of lives in Harda tragedy

#PresidentMukherjee condoles loss of lives due to derailment of the Kamayani Express & Janata Express in Madhya Pradesh

— President Mukherjee (@POI13) August 5, 2015

I hope the injured are provided adequate medical care, says Rahul Gandhi

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, expressing sadness over the train tragedy in Madhya Pradesh, said, “Hope the injured are provided adequate medical care and assistance at the earliest.”

Very sad to learn of the derailment of 2 trains in Madhya Pradesh. My deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones in this mishap

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 5, 2015

I hope the injured are provided adequate medical care and assistance at the earliest

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 5, 2015

Here are the helpline numbers for Madhya Pradesh train tragedy

First help came from villagers in Harda, reports CNN-IBN

While the rescue operations are still on, CNN-IBN’s Shreya Dhoundial reports that the good news is that it has stopped raining at the accident spot, which in turn will help rescue operations. 

She said that while NDRF teams were on their way, the first help, like in most such cases, came from villagers.

NDRF teamns have been rushed, Rajnath Singh on train tragedy

Home Minister Rajnath Singh too took to Twitter to express sadness over the train tragedy in Madhya Pradesh’s Harda. 

Here’s what he said: 

Heartfelt condolences to the families of those who died in the train accident near Harda in MP. NDRF teams have been rushed to the spot.

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) August 5, 2015

Enquiry ordered into train derailment, says Suresh Prabhu

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu this morning said that an enquiry had been ordered into the Kamayani, Janata Expess train tragedy and that ex gratia was to be paid to the families of the deceased immideatly. 

Enquiry ordered,Ex gratia to be paid immediately.Flooding of tracks due to very heavy downpour.Will make detailed statement to parliament

— Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) August 5, 2015

Ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh to families of dead

Surprised by this accident, says Railway Board chief

Speaking about the accident, Mittal tells CNN-IBN, “We usually keep a close watch on tracks, that’s why we were taken by surprise by this derailment.”

We have rescued everyone, says Railway Board chairman

Railway Board chairman AK Mittal tells CNN-IBN that the disaster management department people and accident relief trains have already reached Harda for rescue operations. 

“We have also requested NDRF to help us in the rescue operations,” Mittal said. 

He said, “We have already rescued everybody. Other people with minor injuries were given first aid.”

No bogies have fallen into river, says Railway PRO

The Railway PRO has told CNN-IBN that four coaches of the Janata Express and six coaches of the Kamayani Express have derailed. 

The PRO dismissed reports of bogies having falled into a river and said that over 250 people had been rescued and that the rescue operations were in the last leg. 

It also said that several trains that run through the route where the accident occurred had been diverted.

Accountability must be fixed, says Digvijaya Singh on train tragedy

Even as rescue operations continue in Madhya Pradesh’s Hardha after the tragic train derailment, Congress leader Digvijaya Singh took to Twitter to criticise the Narendra Modi sarkar saying, heads should roll after the incident, but they won’t. 

Taking a dig at Rajnath Singh’s ’no one resigns in BJP’ comment, Digvijaya accused the BJP of not believing in accountability. 

Deeply grieved to hear about the deaths in Train accident in MP. Accountability must be fixed. Heads must roll. Would they? No.

— digvijaya singh (@digvijaya_28) August 5, 2015

Because BJP doesn't believe in fixing accountability & taking action. Why ? As Rajnath Ji said "in BJP no one resigns. We are not Congress"

— digvijaya singh (@digvijaya_28) August 5, 2015

Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Shivraj Singh Chouhan issues statement on Twitter

Deeply saddened by this tragic train accident near Harda. My heartfelt condolences to the families of deceased in this unfortunate tragedy.

— Shivraj Singh Chouhan (@ChouhanShivraj) August 5, 2015

We are providing all possible Medical assistance at the site. Medical teams from various cities have been rushed in to assist in R&R ops.

— Shivraj Singh Chouhan (@ChouhanShivraj) August 5, 2015

We are closely working together with Railway Admin. In relief & rescue op. of Harda train accident. DM along with Sr. Officers are at site.

— Shivraj Singh Chouhan (@ChouhanShivraj) August 5, 2015

PM Modi tweets his condolences to the passengers of the Harda train mishap

The two train accidents in Madhya Pradesh are deeply distressing. Deeply pained over the loss of lives. Condolences to families of deceased.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 5, 2015

My prayers with the injured. Authorities are doing everything possible on the ground. The situation is being monitored very closely.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 5, 2015

Anil Saxena, Spokesperson, Rail Ministry to Times Now

Relief operations are almost over. Medical team is still rescuing passengers stuck in the bogies submerged in passengers but all other passengers have been rescued. Three special trains carrying doctors and rescue personnel have been dispatched to the spot. Relief teams could not be sent by road due to heavy waterlogging.

Railway Ministry issues an enquiry into the Harda train tragedy

Inquiry ordered into the twin train mishap in Harda; Commissioner Railway Safety (central zone) to conduct the probe: Railways #TrainTragedy

— Pradesh18 English (@Pradesh18Eng) August 5, 2015

Former Railways Minister Dinesh Trivedi 

This is totally unacceptable, today's accident is a symptom of a deep rooted cancer in Railway system: Dinesh Trivedi pic.twitter.com/lpUuFtEZvQ

— ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2015

Truth is year after year, Railways require minimum Rs 60000 crore to maintain & change old assets: Dinesh Trivedi pic.twitter.com/61ygmAvNIE

— ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2015

Death toll rises to 22

UPDATE: Death toll of twin train derailment in MP reaches 22.

— ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2015

Rail traffic in the area has been hit

At least 25 trains from Mumbai being diverted. Trains from Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh were temporarily stopped. 

WCR Derailment - CR Trains Update-1@RailMinIndia @sureshpprabhu pic.twitter.com/W15AerjGQb

— Central Railway (@Central_Railway) August 5, 2015

WCR Derailment - CR Trains Update-2@RailMinIndia @sureshpprabhu pic.twitter.com/s6VCl46ukX

— Central Railway (@Central_Railway) August 5, 2015

OP Singh, DG NDRF on twin train derailment in MP 

Team is reaching there, they will assess situation and only then operation will conducted: OP Singh pic.twitter.com/Nz13fAPAqk

— ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2015

We've sent 1 NDRF team comprising 35 personnel from Bhopal,team is reaching there: OP Singh, DG NDRF on twin train derailment in MP

— ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2015

We've sent 1 NDRF team comprising 35 personnel from Bhopal,team is reaching there: OP Singh, DG NDRF on twin train derailment in MP

— ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2015

Kamayani Express enroute to Varanasi from Mumbai derailed near Harda, about 160 kms from Bhopal, and the Mumbai-Jabalpur Janata Express derailed around 11.30 late last night. 

Twin Train Derailment in MP: First Pictures from the spot where trains derailed pic.twitter.com/YQv5QhaNgS

— ANI (@ANI) August 4, 2015

Helpline Numbers

Kamyani Express Derailment in MP, WCR Helpline No : Itarsi – 07572 241920, Bina – 07580 222052, Harda – 09752460088, Bhopal – 0755 4001609  

WCR Derailment CR opened Help line no at CST Mumbai: 022-22694040, LTT 022-25280005, Thane 022-25334840, KALYAN 0251-2311499

Minister for Railways Suresh Prabhu posted a series of tweets after the accident detailing the relief operations. 

We r gearing up all possible help on basis of info,will not spare any efforts

— Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) August 4, 2015

Local villagers,Admn r also in rescue operation. Everything that's necessary and possible being done.Constant in touch with CM MP&Rail off

— Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) August 4, 2015

Trying to pull back trains

— Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) August 4, 2015

Local villagers,Admn r also in rescue operation. Everything that's necessary and possible being done.Constant in touch with CM MP&Rail off

— Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) August 4, 2015