At least 10 persons were killed and over 100 injured today when 13 bogies of Delhi-bound Kalka Mail from Howrah derailed near Malwa station here.
The accident took place this afternoon near East cabin of Malwa station, nearly 120 kms from state capital Lucknow.
Ten persons have died in the accident, according to Chief Public Relations Officer, North Central Railways, Sandeep Mathur rpt Mathur. The death toll is likely to increase, with the rescue operation still on with the help of locals, railway and district administration authorities.
A TV channel even claimed that the toll was currently at 20.
"13 bogies of the Delhi-Howrah train have derailed out which 10 are in very bad shape. The exact cause of the derailment could not be ascertained yet as we are busy in rescue operations," North Central Railway General Manager H.C. Joshi said.
He said a high-level probe has been ordered into the incident.
Two rescue trains - one each from Allahabad and Kanpur - have rushed to the spot, where gas cutters and other equipment are being used to pull out the trapped passengers.
The army was also moving about 120 troops from adjoining Allahabad and Kanpur for the rescue operations after chairman of the Railway Board spoke to the army chief.
Locals with the help of railway and district authorities were trying to pull out those trapped inside the bogies.
Minister of State for Railways Mukul Roy has announced Rs five lakh ex-gratia to the next of the kin of the dead, Rs 1 lakh for those who sustained serious injuries and Rs 25,000 for victims who have suffered minor injuries.
The accident has disrupted rail traffic along the Delhi-Howrah mainline.