Kolkata-Sairang Express derails at Digaru station in Assam
The locomotive and several coaches went off the tracks on Wednesday morning while the train was being halted to give precedence to another service.
The locomotive and several coaches of the Kolkata-Sairang Express derailed at Digaru Railway Station in Assam’s Kamrup (Metro) district at approximately 6:54 am on Wednesday, according to reports from The News Mill, The Economic Times and The Assam Tribune.
The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) stated the derailment occurred as Train No. 13125 was being halted to give precedence to the Jan Shatabdi Express. The NFR said the locomotive pilot was unable to control the train's speed during this process.
While The News Mill reported no injuries, The Assam Tribune stated that passengers were taken to Sonapur District Hospital for medical attention. A doctor at the hospital reported that three patients had been brought in, with two sustaining minor injuries and one passenger potentially suffering a hand fracture and chest injuries.
A passenger travelling from Kolkata to Hojai alleged that there was fire near the front portion of the train and claimed the driver had been instructed to continue running the train despite problems. The pantry car manager said the train continued moving for about half a kilometre to one kilometre after the derailment occurred.
Senior railway officials and the General Manager of the NFR have arrived at the site to monitor restoration work. The NFR is arranging an alternative train from Guwahati to ensure passengers reach Sairang safely.
The derailment disrupted the movement of the Guwahati-Jorhat Town Jan Shatabdi Express and the Coimbatore-Silchar Express. An investigation will be conducted to determine the cause of the incident.