Kolkata-Sairang Express derails near Digaru in Assam
More than 300 passengers from West Bengal were on board the train when the engine and five coaches derailed on Wednesday.
The Kolkata-Sairang Express derailed near Digaru railway station in Assam's Kamrup (Metropolitan) district on Wednesday morning, according to reports by Deccan Herald and The Indian Express. The train was travelling from Chitpur in Kolkata to Sairang, Aizawl, in Mizoram when the incident occurred around 06:54 AM.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that four persons suffered minor injuries, though no fatalities have been reported. He stated that all passengers are safe and that stranded passengers have been provided with basic necessities.
A Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) spokesperson said the accident happened as the train was being received at Digaru to give precedence to another train, but the loco pilot could not control the speed. This resulted in the locomotive and five coaches derailing.
An Eastern Railway official said data shows over 300 passengers from West Bengal, including those from Kolkata, Naihati, Krishnanagar, and the Malda and Katihar Divisions, were heading beyond Guwahati. Helpdesks have been established at Sealdah, Alipurduar, Naihati, and Berhampore Court stations to assist passengers and their families.
NFR official Kapinjal Kishore Sharma said relief and rescue operations have started and the General Manager is proceeding to the site. Passengers are being taken to their destinations using an alternative train.