2 killed as 18 coaches of passenger train derail in India

About 18 coaches of a train bound for Mumbai derailed in the Indian state of Jharkhand early today, leaving two people dead and 20 others injured, NDTV reported.

The Howara-CSMT Express derailed near Badabamboo, around 80 km from Jamshedpur at around 3.45 am. Rescue teams were rushed to the site immediately after the derailment was notified and a rescue and relief operation is on, officials said.

“Two people were killed and 20 injured as 18 coaches of Howrah-Mumbai Mail derailed near Barabamboo. Rescue operations are on and an NDRF team is rushing to the spot,” said West Singhbhum Deputy Commissioner Kuldeep Chaudhary, who is camping at the accident site.

Senior Railways official Om Prakash Charan said that a goods train had also derailed nearby, but it was not yet clear whether the two accidents occurred concurrently.

Of the 18 coaches that derailed, 16 were passenger coaches, one power car and one pantry car, he said.

The injured were given first aid by the Railways’ medical team, officials said, adding that they have now been taken to Chakradharpur for better treatment.

The exact reason for the derailment is being ascertained, they said.

Officials said several trains on the route have been cancelled or diverted after the mishap.