Lucknow: At least 5-7 people were killed Thursday when five coaches of the Dehradun-bound Doon Express derailed in Uttar Pradesh's Jaunpur district, officials said.
The accident took place near Mahrawa station, 250 km from here.
Railway Board member A.K. Mishra told FacenFacts in New Delhi that four people had died in the accident and 10 others were injured, some seriously.
District officials who rushed to the accident site told FacenFacts in Uttar Pradesh that the derailment took place a little after noon and that five of the 18 coaches of the train ran off the tracks.
The officials, however, said about 100 passengers sustained minor to major injuries. The condition of four was stated to be serious.
The injured have been rushed to medical facilities in Jaunpur, which is 38 km from the accident site.
As the train was in high speed at the time of derailment, the coaches overturned, an official said.
Rescue teams have gone to the spot with medical teams. A relief train was on its way from New Delhi, officials said.
Some officials feared that the number of dead could rise. Because of the accident, more than a dozen trains plying on the route had been halted at various stations.
The cause of the accident, which happened at around 1.13 in the afternoon, is not known yet. The train derailed about 12 minutes after leaving the Jaunpur station. The train had left Howrah in West Bengal last evening around 8 pm.
Relief teams have been rushed to the spot from Varanasi and Lucknow. This includes medical teams and a rescue train with equipment.
Railways Minister Mukul Roy has left Kolkata and is on his way to the accident site.
This is the second rail mishap in 10 days. At least 25 people were killed when the Hampi Express rammed a stationary goods train in Andhra Pradesh's Anantapur on May 22.
Helpline numbers -
Kolkata: 033- 26413660, 26402241, 26402242;
Uttar Pradesh: 0522-2234533;
Bandel: 033-26316377;
Barddhaman: 0342-2561601
