Six coaches of the Utkal Express derailed on Saturday evening in Muzaffarnagar’s Khatauli in Uttar Pradesh injuring at least 20 people although officials say that casualty figures could go higher given the intensity of the incident. [caption id=“attachment_3950519” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Coaches of the Puri-Haridwar Utkal Express after it derailed in Khatauli near Muzaffarnagar on Saturday. PTI[/caption] Official casualty figures have not been released so far as the senior officials of the Muzaffarnagar district administration have rushed to the spot to supervise relief and rescue operations, media reports say. The Uttra Pradesh government has also sought for Central assistance to expedite the rescue and relief operations. The ill-fated train was headed from Puri in Odisha to Haridwar in Uttarakhand. Financial Express reported that the incident took place around 6.45 pm. The report further mentioned that the reason behind the derailment is still unclear. No passengers have been reported dead thus far. According to the Financial Express, “The rescue operations are currently going on and the number of injured people might go up. The locals have reached the spot are helping with the relief operations.” The Times of India reported that the local administration officials have reached the site of the incident. The derailment is likely to affect the movements of trains along the busy Northern Railway route. With inputs from IANS
Utkal Express derailment highlights: Death toll in Muzaffarnagar tragedy rises to 23
Six coaches of the Utkal Express derailed in Muzaffarnagar’s Khatauli on Saturday
 "Utkal Express derailment highlights: Death toll in Muzaffarnagar tragedy rises to 23")
Death toll stands at 23, says Uttar Pradesh police
UP Police re-issues press note, clarifies 23 killed and 40 injured in #Muzaffarnagar train derailment accident. pic.twitter.com/IpvCyqVCXW
— ANI (@ANI) August 19, 2017
Yogi Adityanath announces that the families of the dead in the Muzaffarnagar derailment will receive ex-gratia 2 lakh and injured will receive economic assistance of Rs 50 thousand.
#UPCM ने मुजफ्फरनगर ट्रेन दुर्घटना में मृतकों के परिजनों के लिए 2 लाख रुपये और घायलों के लिए 50 हजार रु. की आर्थिक सहायता देने की घोषणा की।
— CM Office, GoUP (@CMOfficeUP) August 19, 2017
Congress jab at Modi government
“If Narendra Modi ji can spend 1 lakh crore on bullet trains, why can’t he allocate 40000 cr for railway safety?” asks Congress leader Randeep Surjewala on Times Now. He said that considering the 27 train accidents in the past three years, the government needs to allocate more money to railway safety.
If Modi ji can spend 1L cr on a bullet train, why can’t he allocate 40000 cr for railway safety? Congress’ Randeep Surjewala #UPTrainTragedy pic.twitter.com/1dUGzCxlKK
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) August 19, 2017
Spoke to UP CM @myogiadityanath ji & requested him to arrange for the best possible Medicare to those injured in #Muzzafarnagar accident.
— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) August 19, 2017
MoS Railways Manoj Sinha reaches accident site
Ministry of Railways says that Manoj Sinha, Mohammad Jamshed, Member Traffic of the Railway Board and NDRF personnel have proceeded towards the derailment site. The department reports that local civil authorities and the district magistrate are monitoring the situation and medical vans from Delhi and Saharanpur have reached the area. An accident relief train from Ambala has also arrived at the spot. It confirms that, in fact, 10 coaches were derailed in Khatauli.
MoS @manojsinhabjp, Mohd. Jamshed MT and Director General (Health) Railway Board and NDRF team have proceeded towards the derailment site.
— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) August 19, 2017
Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, JP Nadda on Utkal Express derailment
“Extremely saddened to know about tragic accident of the Utkal Express in Muzaffarnagar,” JP Nadda said after speaking to Suresh Prabhu and Uttar Pradesh health minister Sidharth Nath Singh. He also said that the Ministry of Health is “ready to provide all support”
Spoken to Union Railways Minister Shri @sureshpprabhu and Health minister UP @sidharthnsingh . @MoHFW_INDIA is ready to provide all support.
— Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) August 19, 2017
Suresh Prabhu tweets that he has spoken to Union Minister of Health JP Nadda for medical help being extended to the injured
Have spoken to @JPNadda ji,he has assured all possible help.All possible medical help being extended to the injured
— Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) August 19, 2017
Arvind Kejriwal, Sambit Patra and other minister offer their condolences
From condolence messages to promising to send help, here’s how people ministers on Twitter so far.
Read more here
Deeply pained to know about death and injury of passengers of Utkal express in muzaffarnagar accident. Praying for the injured passengers.
— Rajeev Shukla (@ShuklaRajiv) August 19, 2017
Pained to learn about the tragic accident of #UtkalExpress
— Sambit Patra (@sambitswaraj) August 19, 2017
My prayers are with those who are affected by this accident 🙏
V sad. Prayers for the deceased. May the injured recover soon https://t.co/3TDImlf7lU
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) August 19, 2017
Watch: Gas cutters being used for rescue operations in Utkal Express
WATCH | Shots of gas cutters being used for rescue ops in Utkal Express derailment near #Muzaffarnagar
LIVE updates https://t.co/RukQFtjCru pic.twitter.com/SyOq5mDfUo
— NDTV (@ndtv) August 19, 2017
“Sad at train derailment in Uttar Pradesh,” says President Ram Nath Kovind
Sad at train derailment in UP; my thoughts are with deceased & their families. Injured are being rescued & provided relief #PresidentKovind
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) August 19, 2017
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi tweets about Muzaffarnagar incident
Shocked to know about the unfortunate accident of Utkal Express in Muzaffarnagar. My thoughts with the families who lost their loved ones
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 19, 2017
Railway officials state that the cause of the derailment is yet to be discovered
14 coaches got derailed. At this stage nothing can be said about the cause of accident: Railways spokesperson Anil Saxena #Muzaffarnagar pic.twitter.com/l2yimQIAmL
— ANI (@ANI) August 19, 2017
Railway Ministry announces ex-gratia of 3.5 lakh for those dead in Utkal Express derailment
Railway Minister announces ex-gratia of 3.5 lakh for those who lost their lives in the Utkal Express derailment, Minister for Railways Suresh Prabhu said_._ Rs 50 thousand will be given to those seriously injured in the accident. Those with minor injuries will get an ex-gratia of Rs 25 thousand.
Railway personnel responsible for derailment?
According to News18 Hindi, an error by the railway personnel might have been responsible for the tragedy in Muzaffarnagar. Sources allege that the track in Khatauli district was repaired in the morning but the soil was not filled again on account of the rains.
Hospitals have allegedly been instructed by the Yogi Adityanath government to provide free treatment to injured passengers on Utkal Express
Hospitals have been instructed to provide free treatment to the injured passengers, Yogi Adityanath said according to PTI.
He said four NDRF teams were also being rushed there — three from Ghaziabad and one from Delhi.
Besides, 35 ambulances, bread, butter, 1,000 food packets, additional private and state-run buses were being arranged, he said.
Volunteers were being mobilized from adjoining Meerut, an official spokesperson said.
Medical colleges, district hospitals and a large number of private hospitals were being prepared to receive patients, he added.
Official death toll stands at 10
ADG Law and Order Anand Kumar says that 10 people have been killed and 30 to 40 people have been seriously injured by the derailment. He also said that 30 ambulances have reached the spot so far
10 killed in #Muzaffarnagar train derailment, says Anand Kumar, ADG Law and Order pic.twitter.com/lu3Rim22lv
— ANI (@ANI) August 19, 2017
Narendra Modi on the Utkal Express derailment
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted about the Khatauli railway accident, saying that he was, “extremely pained by the derailment of the Utkal Express in Muzaffarnagar. My thoughts are with the families of the deceased.” He added that the railway ministry and the Uttar Pradesh government are doing everything possible and providing all assistance required in the wake of the train derailment.
Extremely pained by the derailment of the Utkal Express in Muzaffarnagar. My thoughts are with the families of the deceased: PM
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 19, 2017
I wish those injured a speedy recovery. The situation is being monitored very closely by the Railways Ministry: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 19, 2017
Railways Ministry & UP Government are doing everything possible & providing all assistance required in the wake of the train derailment: PM
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 19, 2017
Ministry of Railways states that medical vans have been deployed from Delhi
Medical VAN DElhi DEP-18.15 HRS , Medical VAN SRE DEP-18.32 HRS
— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) August 19, 2017
ART DLI DEP- 18.25 HRS ART SRE DEP-18.52 HRS ART UMB DEP-19.02 HRS
Yogi Adityanath addresses media about Khatauli railway accident
Yogi Adityanath said that two ministers Suresh Rana and Satish Prakash have been sent to the location to look into the incident. He added that it is an unfortunate incident and offered his condolences to the kin of those affected by the incident. Adityanath said that he is in constant touch with the Centre to conduct rescue and relief operations. Anand Kumar, ADG, Law and Order also said that over 50 people have been injured in the tragedy.
Unfortunate incident, we are in constant touch with the Rail Ministry: UP CM Yogi Adityanath on #Muzaffarnagar train derailment. pic.twitter.com/hVHw1T7WnN
— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) August 19, 2017
More than 50 injured. ATS sent there as precautionary measure, no confirmation of terrorism angle: Anand Kumar, ADG Law&Order #Muzaffarnagar pic.twitter.com/ym4BBZsXNc
— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) August 19, 2017
#BREAKING We have moved resources to the accident site. We are in touch with the railway ministry: UP CM @myogiadityanath on #UPTrainTragedy pic.twitter.com/t9GTBG9Tej
— News18 (@CNNnews18) August 19, 2017
Emergency help line no for detail information #TrainAccident pic.twitter.com/qnEVpagxoO
— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) August 19, 2017
RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav says that the railway minister should resign over Utkal Express derailment
How will people travel, there is guarantee of safety. Railway Minister should resign: Lalu Prasad Yadav on #Muzaffarnagar train derailment pic.twitter.com/0u6nYwuJF2
— ANI (@ANI) August 19, 2017
Sanjay Balyan on the Utkal express accident
Union Minister Sanjeev Balyan says that he has seen a “few dead bodies” at the site of the derailment but he can’t yet say what the exact number of casualties. He added that MoS Railways Manoj Sinha has left from Delhi.
I have seen few dead bodies, can't say the exact number, many injured. Manoj Sinha ji has left from Delhi: Sanjeev Balyan #Muzaffarnagar MP pic.twitter.com/1He5GlJnQd
— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) August 19, 2017
I am rushing to the accident site with board members and MT
— Manoj Sinha (@manojsinha_) August 19, 2017
#UPDATE: 9 PAC Companies issued orders to immediately reach Khatauli in #Muzaffarnagar to extend help in Relief and Rescue operations.
— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) August 19, 2017
Media reports state that the lack of electricity is hampering relief operations at the accident site. As nighttime falls in Khatauli, relief operations are becoming even more difficult to execute.
#UPTrainTragedy -- Eyewitnesses say there is no electricity at the accident site, which is hampering relief operations. pic.twitter.com/CxjmQCNzqd
— News18 (@CNNnews18) August 19, 2017
Suresh Prabhu says that Minister of State in the Ministry of Railways Manoj Sinha is also reaching the site of the incident
.@manojsinhabjp and I am monitoring the unfortunate accident,he is rushing to the accident site with member traffic and other sr officers
— Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) August 19, 2017
Three bogeys still not accessible to rescue teams
According to CNN-News18, eyewitnesses at the scene say that rescue workers have still not been able to access three bogeys that crashed at the far end of the station. To make matters worse, at least 300-400 people are reportedly still trapped in the coaches.
Here’s a look at train accidents in the last 15 months
The year 2016 witnessed some major train accidents, and 2017 continues on a grim note as well, with a major derailment at Khatauli district in Uttar Pradesh. Here are the details of the major train accidents so far .
Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan sends his condolences
Deeply pained by the news of derailment of #UtkalExpress at Khatauli near #Muzaffarnagar. My prayers are with the families of those affected
— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) August 19, 2017
#Muzaffarnagar train derailment: Visuals from the spot. pic.twitter.com/elpWhkIbbx
— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) August 19, 2017
Uttar Pradesh police shares helpline number for those affected by derailment in Muzaffarnagar
#UtkalExpress मुज़फ्फरनगर ट्रेन एक्सीडेंट हेल्प लाइन नंबर #uppolice pic.twitter.com/9OoKSy6a7s
— UP POLICE (@Uppolice) August 19, 2017
Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terror Squad at the train derailment site to investigate into the nature of the incident
#BREAKING -- Uttar Pradesh ATS team at the train derailment site, @pranshumisraa with more details #UPTrainTragedy pic.twitter.com/sgbOyj0xuh
— News18 (@CNNnews18) August 19, 2017
Yogi Adityanath sends condolences to those injured in Utkal Express derailment
उत्तर प्रदेश के जनपद मुजफ्फरनगर में हुई ट्रेन दुर्घटना दुःखद।
— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) August 19, 2017
रेल हादसे में घायल यात्रियों का समुचित इलाज होगा, हर संभव मदद पहुंचाने के निर्देश दे दिए गए है।
— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) August 19, 2017
Rescue operations gear up in Muzaffarnagar
The Chief Public Relation Officers of Northern Railways has said that the District magistrate of Muzaffarnagar is about to reach the site of the train derailment. The first NDRF team with 44 rescuers and two search dogs have also reached the spot according to ANI. Suresh Prabhu has tweeted again, saying, “Strict action will be taken against any lapse.” CNN-News18 reports that a medical train is also en route to the location to help.
Suresh Prabhu tweets about Kalinga Utkal Express derailment
Minister for Railways Suresh Prabhu spoke about the derailment of the Kalinga Utkal Express, saying that he is personally monitoring the situation. He adds that In close touch with Yogi Adityanath and district administration to coordinate rescue and relief operations.
I am personally monitoring situation.Hv instructed senior officers to reach site immediately and ensure speedy rescue and relief operations https://t.co/OCpgUGhg5y
— Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) August 19, 2017
Medical vans have been rushed to the site.All efforts being taken to ensure speedy relief and rescue operations
— Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) August 19, 2017
Have instructed Chairman Rly Board,Member Traffic to oversee rescue and relief operations.I am personally monitoring situation
— Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) August 19, 2017
Instructed General Manager, other senior officers to ensure all possible help to the people
— Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) August 19, 2017
](https://images.firstpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Muzaffarnagar-utkal-train-derailment_380_PTI.jpg){kind=link}
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