By IANS,
Kolkata : One person was killed when the engine and six coaches of the Bangalore-bound Guwahati-Bangalore Express derailed and were hit by a passenger train passing on the adjacent tracks in West Bengal’s Malda district Sunday evening, officials said.
Four coaches of the Azimganj-Malda Town passenger train were also derailed in the collision near Jamirghata station in Eastern Railway’s Malda division, said an Eastern Railway spokesman.
“One person has died in the accident. We fear there may be four or five more casualties. We can’t ascertain the number of the injured now. But most of them have been rescued,” said Malda District Magistrate Rajesh Singh.
“We are still awaiting details,” said Singh.
The accident occurred around 7 p.m. when the engine and coaches the Bangalore-bound express derailed and fell on the adjacent track. “These bogies and trains were hit by the Azimganj-Malda Town passenger train coming from the opposite direction,” the Eastern Railway spokesman said.
Two medical teams have been rushed to the spot. Senior railways officials, including Eastern Railway General Manager Varun Bharthuar, rushed to the accident site.
A helpline 03324611461 has been opened at Howrah station.
Locals were carrying out the rescue work, an official said.