Sealdah Ajmer Express derails, 2 killed, 43 injured

15 coaches of the Sealdah-Ajmer express train 12987 derailed in the wee hours of Wednesday, 28 December 2016. As per the sources, at least 2 persons were killed and 43 people were injured during the mishap that happened when the train was crossing a bridge over a dry canal at around 5:20 am near Rura railway station, 50km from Kanpur. A rescue team was rushed to the spot and a medical relief train from Kanpur was also sent to the accident site. 

Railway spokesperson Anil Saxena said in a statement "Currently we are focusing on relief and rescue operations." He also added "As per preliminary reports, 15 coaches of the train got derailed. The first 5 and last 3 coaches were intact."

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu is monitoring the situation and has ordered a probe into how the derailment happened.

Rescue operations are over with all passengers pulled out of the derailed coaches. While 33 injured passengers have been admitted to the district hospital, 10 have been admitted to the Hallet Hospital in Kanpur. Meanwhile, the stranded passengers are being ferried in buses to Kanpur railway station.

The incident has affected the movement of trains on the route. In last two month, this is the second train accident that happened in Uttar Pradesh. In the month of November, Indore-Patna Express had derailed at Pukhrayan in Kanpur Dehat district of Uttar Pradesh, killing 120 people and injuring 180 others.