Lagatar24 Desk
Bengaluru, Nov.12: The Southern Railway said today that seven coaches of a Bengaluru-bound train derailed at Dharmapuri in Tamil Nadu on Friday after stones fell on it, but all 2,000 passengers were safe and no one was harmed in the incident.
On Thursday, the Kannur-Bengaluru Express departed from the former, in Kerala, at 6.05 p.m.
“Coaches of Train No 07390 Kannur-Bengaluru Express derailed between Toppuru – Sivadi of (BengaluruSalem Section), Bengaluru Division on date (Nov 12) at about 3:50 AM, due to unexpected falling of rocks on the operating train,” an official release said.
“There are no injuries among the 2,348 passengers on board. There were no casualties or injuries reported “It was also added.
With the Accident Relief Train (ART) and Medical Equipment Van, a team of authorities led by Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Bengaluru, Shyam Singh, and a doctor hurried to the scene right away.
Aneesh Hegde, the South Western Railway’s Chief Public Relations Officer, initially stated that five coaches had derailed, but later confirmed that there were seven coaches, not five.
He also stated that a team commanded by DRM Salem, as well as ART from Erode, had arrived on the scene.
The passengers and the unaffected back portion of six coaches were cleared to travel to Toppuru and then on to Salem. Work on the repair is in underway. Earthmoving equipment was being used to clear boulders, according to the official.
“At Toppuru, this will come to a halt. For the convenience of travellers, Toppuru has organised fifteen buses. At the accident site, five buses have been provided “He went on to say that water and light refreshments had been set up on the scene.
The Railways have opened Help Desks in Hosur (04342-22603), Bengaluru (080-22156554), and Dharmapuri (04342-232111) to assist passengers.
Senior officials are keeping a careful eye on the issue, according to Hegde.
Passengers would be transported to Bengaluru by bus, according to officials, who added that tea and snacks will be supplied.
Bengaluru-Ernakulam Superfast Express, Nagarkoil-Bengaluru Festival Special, and Salem-Yesvantpur Express Special trains have been diverted as a result of the incident.
