Lucknow: At least 14 persons were killed and 45 injured when a speeding passenger train overshot signal and rammed into another train which was crossing a loop line near here on Tuesday night.
The condition of 12 of the 45 injured is said to be critical.
Krishak Express, travelling from Varanasi to Gorakhpur, rammed into Barauni Express from behind, throwing three of its coaches off the track. The accident took place a little before midnight on Tuesday.
Sources said that the impact of the collision was so strong that five unreserved general class coaches of the Barauni Express derailed. The Krishak Express tore through the fifth coach and badly damaged the sixth, seventh and the eight coach of the Barauni Express.
Railway spokesman Anil Saxena told reporters that the driver of Krishak Express overshot the signal, which led to the accident. Loco pilot Ram Bahadur and assistant loco pilot Satyajeet have been suspended for the lapse. Railway officials have also ordered a high-level inquiry into the accident.
Railway minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda has announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the next of kin of those who died in the tragedy, Rs 1 lakh each to those grievously injured and Rs 20,000 each to those who sustained less serious injuries.
UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, on Wednesday, also announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of those who died in the collision and Rs 50,000 each to the injured passengers.
The President and the Prime Minister have condoled loss of lives in the accident.
The movement of trains on the Gorakhpur-Varanasi track has been disrupted, with at least seven trains diverted. Efforts are on to remove the damaged coaches from the tracks and restore traffic on the route at the earliest.
The disruption in rail traffic has caused problems for passengers during the ongoing festive season.
