Bengaluru/Dharmapuri: Seven coaches of a Kannur-Bengaluru Express derailed near Dharmapuri in Tamil Nadu on Friday after boulders fell on it. All the 2,348 passengers were safe and no casualty was reported, the Southern Railway said in a statement.
The Kannur-Bengaluru Express had left from the former, in Kerala, at 6.05 PM on Thursday. Also Read & Watch: Covaxin 70.8 % Effective Against All Variants, 77.8 % Against Symptomatic: Phase 3 Trial Results
“On date (Nov 12), at about 3:50 AM, due to sudden falling of boulders on the running train, coaches of Train No 07390 Kannur-Bengaluru Express derailed between Toppuru – Sivadi of (Bengaluru Salem Section), Bengaluru Division,” an official release said.
Shyam Singh and a team of officials including Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Bengaluru, along with a doctor, rushed to the spot immediately with Accident Relief Train (ART) and Medical Equipment Van.
Aneesh Hegde, Chief Public Relations Officer, Southern Western Railways (SWR), had earlier informed that five coaches went off tracks but later clarified that there were seven coaches and a team led by DRM Salem has also been sent to the spot along with ART from Erode.
The unaffected rear portion of six coaches, along with passengers, was cleared towards Toppuru and further to Salem. The restoration work is in progress. Boulders were being removed with earthmoving equipment
“This will be halted at Toppuru. Fifteen buses are being arranged at Toppuru for the convenience of passengers. Five buses are being arranged at the spot of the accident,” he said, adding, water and light refreshment have been arranged at spot.
The Railways has opened Help Desk at Hosur 04344-222603, Bengaluru 080-22156554 and Dharmapuri 04342-232111.
Reports say buses were arranged for transporting passengers to Bengaluru and were provided tea and snacks.
The derailment forced SWR to divert Bengaluru-Ernakulam Superfast Express, Nagarkoil-Bengaluru Festival Special and Salem-Yesvantpur Express Special trains. Also Read & Watch: BSF’s 50-Km Move: Punjab Assembly Passes Resolution Against It; Amarinder Backs MHA, AAP Slams CM