Death toll in UP train accident rises to 53

Fatehpur - 11 July 2011 (TOI): The death toll of Delhi-bound Kalka Mail's derailment on Sunday went up to 53 with 15 more bodies, including that of a Swedish national, being recovered from the mangled compartments of the ill-fated train.

"53 bodies, including that of a Swedish national, have been recovered so far. About 250 are undergoing treatment at a hospital here," SP Fatehpur Ram Bharose said, adding those who were seriously injured have been referred to Kanpur.

Bharose said the deceased Swedish national has been identified as Wick from the statement of his injured compatriot Oscar, who was also travelling with him.

There is one more passenger fromSweden, who is reportedly missing, the SP said, quoting Oscar.

The derailment took place at 12.20 pm yesterday when the packed train from Howrah reached near Malwa station, nearly 120 kms from Lucknow. The train was moving at a speed of 108 km/hour.

Rescue operations continued throughout the night to extricate the trapped passengers and bodies from the damaged AC and other compartments.

"By tomorrow morning, the Howrah-Delhi route should be cleared off," Railway Board Chairman Vinay Mittal said, adding that an inquiry by the Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety (Lucknow) Prashant Kumar has been ordered.

Mittal said there was no fault in the track and the cabinman had told him that when the train was close to pole number 927/23, its engine started shaking and emitting smoke, soon after which the mishap took place.

According to survivors and eyewitnesses, the driver applied emergency brakes. The driver himself is critically injured and not in a position to say what made him apply the brakes. Railway officials confirm that the train was hurtling at the maximum speed of around 108-110 km per hour and did not rule out sabotage. Traffic was hit in the busy Delhi-Howrah corridor with 13 trains cancelled and 25 diverted.