Eleven coaches of the Bengaluru-Kamakhya Express derailed near Nergundi station in Odisha’s Cuttack district. While no casualties have been reported so far, several passengers sustained injuries, and rescue operations are currently underway.
Image source:-timesofindia.indiatimes
Cuttack, Odisha: In a major railway incident, 11 coaches of the Bengaluru-Kamakhya Express derailed near Nergundi station in Odisha’s Cuttack district on Monday morning, triggering panic among passengers and bringing rail services on the busy route to a halt.
The train, which was en route to Kamakhya in Assam from Bengaluru, went off the tracks around 6:45 AM, prompting immediate response from railway officials and disaster response teams.
While no fatalities have been reported so far, several passengers sustained minor to moderate injuries, and were rushed to nearby hospitals for medical attention. Senior railway officials have arrived on-site, and a high-level inquiry has been initiated.
Rescue and Relief Operations:
A team from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), along with local police and fire personnel, was deployed to assist in evacuating passengers safely. Cranes and emergency medical support units were rushed to the site, and affected passengers were provided with food and water.
“Passenger safety is our top priority. All injured have been attended to, and alternate transportation is being arranged,” said a spokesperson for the East Coast Railway.
Impact on Rail Traffic:
Due to the derailment, multiple trains on the Howrah-Chennai route faced cancellations or delays. Track clearance operations are currently underway, and it may take several hours before full restoration of services.
Authorities are investigating whether track failure, technical glitch, or overspeeding may have caused the derailment. The Commissioner of Railway Safety is expected to visit the site for an official inspection.
Passenger Accounts:
Many passengers described the moment of derailment as “sudden and terrifying.” One traveler said, “The train suddenly shook violently, and within seconds, people fell off their seats. There was chaos everywhere.”
Helpline numbers have been issued by Indian Railways to assist the families of passengers on board.
