Shivraj Singh Chouhan visits site of twin train derailment in Madhya Pradesh

PM announced an ex-gratia relief of Rs. 2 lakhs each from PMRF for next of kin of those who lost their lives in the train derailments in MP.

PM announced an ex-gratia relief of Rs. 2 lakhs each from PMRF for next of kin of those who lost their lives in the train derailments in MP.

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 5, 2015

MoS PMO Jitendra Singh and MoS Home Kiren Rijiju conduct aerial survey of flood affected areas of Manipur.

PM Modi announces an ex-gratia relief of Rs 2 lakh each for the next of kin of those who lost their lives in train derailments in MP: Reports.

"Prima facie it appears that the cause behind the mishap was heavy rains that was never witnessed in the Harda region in the recent memory. Due to it, base material under the tracks got washed out and the overhead contact of the engine got disconnected, because of which the trains got stranded on the tracks over the bridge on Machak river," Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan ​Chouhan.

President Pranab Mukherjee condoles the loss of lives on account of derailment of trains in Madhya Pradesh, says, "“I am sad to learn about the derailment of the Kamayani Express and Janata Express trains in Madhya Pradesh last night as a result of which a number of persons have lost their lives and many are injured."

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu has cancelled his visit to Harda to visit the site of train derailment due to very heavy rains there, say TV reports.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan visits the site of twin train derailment in Harda.

He says: "28 dead bodies have been recovered until last reports. There was so much water there that it seemed like a cloudburst. That's what caused the accident." 

Chouhan travelled by train to the accident site to restore confidence in Indian Railways.

A total of 25 dead bodies have been brought in, says MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan. "The bodies that have been recognised will be handed to the family; rest will be dispatched to a hospital," Chouhan says further.

"Even now operations are on to look for any dead body that could have been missed," the CM adds.

PTI is reporting that the death toll in the twin train derailment has now risen to 29. Of those killed, 11 are women and five are children. At least 25 others have been injured while over 250 passengers have been rescued.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan says he will be going to the accident site to take stock of the situation.

The MP CM announces additional compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the kin of the deceased; Rs 50,000 for the seriously injured and Rs 10,000 for those who have sustained minor injuries.

NDA government seems to be giving priority to bullet trains, but for the common man 100% accident avoidance is required, says former Railway minister Pawan Bansal.

Very sad incident, there must be a high-level investigation into the matter - Mayawati on MP twin train derailment 

In view of derailment of trains in MP between Khandwa and Itarsi section of West Central Railway, many trains have been diverted. These include Ajmer-Hyderabad Express, New Delhi-Bangalore City Karnataka Express, Sriganganagar-Nanded Express, Mysore-Varanasi Express, Bangalore City-New Delhi Karnataka Express, and Nanded-Amritsar Sachkand Express.

Suresh Prabhu said in Rajya Sabha that track washout due to a swollen Machak river led to the derailment of two trains at Harda in Madhya Pradesh. Making a suo motu statement on the incident, Prabhu said the Railways is making all possible efforts to rescue the affected passengers.

Prabhu said he along with his junior minister will be "going personally" to the accident site to review relief and rescue operations.

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu says in Rajya Sabha that 12 have been killed and 25 injured in derailment of two trains in Madhya Pradesh.

Enquiry ordered,Ex gratia to be paid immediately.Flooding of tracks due to very heavy downpour.Will make detailed statement to parliament

— Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) August 5, 2015

Central Railway has set up four helpline numbers: Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus 022-22694040, LTT 022-25280005, Thane 022-25334840, Kalyan 0251-2311499

Rajya Sabha extends condolences to the families of those killed in the Madhya Pradesh train derailment. MPs stand in silence for a minute.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi expresses shock and grief over the unfortunate incident of twin rail derailment in Madhya Pradesh. Sonia extends condolences to families of the deceased and hopes adequate relief and rescue is being undertaken by authorities concerned.

Death toll in the Madhya Pradesh twin train derailments has risen to 28, reports ANI.

Indian Railways has operationalised helpline numbers for the families of the passengers: Itarsi - 0757 2241920; Bhopal - 0755 4001609; Harda - 07577 236081; Bina - 07580221362.

Madhya Pradesh train derailment: In Pics

Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan will visit the spot of twin train derailment incident later today.

"We are providing all possible medical assistance at the site. Medical teams from various cities have been rushed in to assist in relief and rescue operations," says Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. 

"We are closely working with Railway administration in relief and rescue operations. District Magistrate along with senior officers is at the site," adds Chouhan.

ANI reports that the death toll has risen to 27 including 11 females, 11 males and 5 children.

"Kamayani Express from Mumbai to Varanasi, Janata Express towards Mumbai was passing 20 kilometres from Harda near a bridge. Ten minutes back at this spot train movement was normal, there was no problem. It appears suddenly flash flood came in 10 minutes' time which resulted in disturbance of track and consequently the derailment of two trains," says AK Mittal, Railway Board Chairman.

Rescue and relief are almost complete, still a team conducting search operation to see if anyone is still trapped, says Railway PRO Anil Saxena.

Railway PRO Anil Saxena says an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh ​has been announced for the family of deceased; Rs 50,000 will be paid to critically injured and Rs 25,000 to injured.

Railway PRO Anil Saxena says 12 people have been killed in the train accident while 25 are injured. According to PTI, 24 people have died in the mishap.

Medical teams are at the spot, Railway administration is conducting relief and rescue operation, says MoS Railways Manoj Sinha.

Union Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu says an inquiry has been ordered into the derailment of trains. "An inquiry has been ordered. Flooding of tracks due to very heavy downpour caused the accident," Prabhu says. "I will make a detailed statement in Parliament today. Ex-gratia will be paid immediately," he adds.

Indian Railways has issued two helpline numbers: 05422503814, 62733

"I don't consider it an accident. Accident is something which can't be avoided, but this could've been avoided," says former Railway minister Dinesh Trivedi.

NDRF personnel involved in the rescue operations are carrying technical equipment that can be used to cut bogies to free trapped people.

One battalion of the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) from Bhopal and an Army unit stationed in Mhow were pressed into service to carry out rescue operations at the accident site.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed distress and pain over the loss of lives in twin train accident in Madhya Pradesh. Modi said authorities are doing everything possible on the ground.

"The two train accidents in Madhya Pradesh are deeply distressing. Deeply pained over the loss of lives. Condolences to families of deceased," Modi tweeted. "My prayers with the injured. Authorities are doing everything possible on the ground. The situation is being monitored very closely," Modi said in another tweet.

The accident relief train has reached the spot and several passengers have been brought to a nearby station, Railway Board member (traffic) Kundan Sinha informs.

An inquiry has been ordered into the twin train mishap in Harda. The probe will be conducted by Commissioner, Railway Safety (central zone).

Railway Board member (traffic) Kundan Sinha says the tracks have been breached because of the flow of excessive water and the particular section has been closed for any train movement.

Railways today said the sudden flow of water on the tracks caused the derailment of the two trains while they were crossing the swollen Machak river near Harda in Madhya Pradesh. According to reports, there was a possible burst in a nearby dam which caused sudden flow of water on the tracks and that resulted in the derailment," Railway Board Chairman A K Mittal said.

Mittal said the Railways will enquire into the two derailments. "We will call for an inquiry into the incidents and will also take remedial measures to prevent such incidents in future," he said.

The death toll in the Harda train mishap has now risen to 24 with at least 25 other people injured. The mishap took place after seven coaches of the Kamayani Express and five bogies of the Mumbai-Jabalpur Janata Express derailed while crossing a swollen Machak river near Harda late last night.

Twenty four bodies, including nine men, 10 women and five kids, have been recovered so far from the mishap site between Khirkiya and Bhirangi stations near Harda, Madhya Pradesh Public Relation Department Commissioner Anupam Rajan told PTI today.

Officials fear the death toll could further go up.

According to West Central Railway PRO Piyush Mathur, seven coaches of Kamayani Express and five bogies plus the engine of Janata Express were derailed late last night as the base material on the tracks got washed away.

"The mishap took place around 11.30 pm on Tuesday as base material of the tracks got washed away in heavy rains,” Mathur said.

Divisional Commercial Railway Manager (DCRM) Brajendra Kumar said that search operation has been launched in nearby areas to find people who might have got washed away in heavy floods.

Bhopal Railway PRO said that over 250 passengers have been rescued so far.

A passenger of Kamayni Express, Akhilesh Pratap Singh, told PTI that he along with over 150 passengers, travelling in the general class coach, were stranded on a hilltop to save themselves.

The accident relief train has reached the spot and several passengers have been brought to a nearby station.

Kamayani Express enroute to Varanasi from Mumbai derailed near Harda, about 160 kms from Bhopal, and the Mumbai-Jabalpur Janata Express derailed around 11.30 pm late last night.