8 Killed, Several Injured in Train Accident

India: Eight people were killed while several passengers were injured after 12 coaches of the Bikaner-Guwahati Express train derailed near Domohani in West Bengal’s Jalpaiguri district. The accident occurred around 5 pm near Maynaguri’s Domhiniti under the Alipurduar division of Northeast Frontier Railway.

Senior railway officials and rescue workers were immediately rushed to the spot for relief and rescue operations. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Railway Board Chairman, and Director General (Safety) are also leaving for the accident site.

Preliminary assessment suggests a possibility of a crack in the railway tracks, which might have caused the accident, Moumita Godala Basu, DM Jalpaiguri said.

The Indian Railways has announced Rs 5 Lakh ex-gratia for those killed, Rs 1 lakh for the severely injured and Rs 25,000 for passengers who suffered minor injuries.