By IANS,
Lucknow : At least 10 people were killed and about 45 others injured in three train accidents in Uttar Pradesh on a fog-hit Saturday morning, officials said.
The accidents took place in Kanpur, Etawah and Allahabad districts.
All the 10 deaths occurred in the Kanpur accident when the Gorakhdham Express collided with the stationary Prayagraj Express near Panki railway station, some 90 km from Lucknow.
“As per reports, 10 people have died in the collision that occurred at around 9 a.m.,” Kanpur Deputy Inspector General B.P. Jogdand told IANS on the telephone.
“About 40 people were injured in the collision. They have been admitted to hospitals in Kanpur,” he added.
The impact of the collision badly damaged three coaches of the Prayagraj Express after it was hit by the Gorakhdham Express.
The Prayagraj Express was headed for Allahabad from Delhi and the Gorakhdham Express was running between the national capital and Gorakhpur.
In Etawah, the driver of Lichchavi Express was critically injured when the train rammed into the Magadh Express near Sarai Bhupat railway station, some 300 km from Lucknow.
“The driver of the Lichchavi Express has fractured both his legs in the collision. He is being treated at a government hospital, where his condition is stated to be critical,” Government Railway Police (GRP) inspector in Etawah A.K. Singh told IANS.
“At around 8.15 a.m. the Lichchavi Express rammed into the stationary Magadh Express.” Both the trains were headed for Bihar.
The third accident, which was a minor one, took place in Allahabad, some 200 km from here. Four people received minor injuries when the Saryu Express collided with a railway maintenance trolley, officials said.
A high-level inquiry has been ordered to probe the accidents in Etawah and Kanpur districts.
“It appears that both the accidents took place due to heavy fog. However, a high-level inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the exact reasons,” R.D. Vajapayee, chief public relations officer (CPRO) of North Central Railway, told reporters in Allahabad.
“Commissioner, Railway Safety, will start the inquiry at the earliest,” he added.
The railways has announced compensation of Rs.5 lakh for the families of each of the deceased and Rs.1 lakh each to the critically injured. The other injured would recieve Rs.10,000 each as compensation, officials said.