Nine killed, several injured as Bengaluru-Ernakulam train derails

Anekal (Karna): At least nine passengers were killed and several others injured when nine bogies of the Bangalore-Ernakulam Inter City Express derailed near here on Friday after a boulder fell on the track.

The train had left Bengaluru at 06:15am and derailed at 07:35 am between Anekal Road and Hosur on Bangalore City-Salem Section, about 45 km from Bengaluru, railways said.

Railway minister Suresh Prabhu said a boulder fell on the track and the train hit it. “I am personally monitoring it and in touch with State and local administration,” he tweeted.

Prabhu said he has directed all senior officers to rush to the spot with help. Law minister Sadanand Gowda has reached the accident site, near the border of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

The railway board chairman had been directed to evacuate all stranded passengers, besides which medical help had been rushed, he said. “Five deaths (confirmed) so far,” Bangalore divisional railway manager Anil Kumar Agarwal, who rushed to the accident site, told PTI earlier. The toll has, however, raised to twelve.

Prabhu said an inquiry had been ordered to fix responsibility and for corrective action to prevent such unfortunate accidents. He said he was monitoring “action” regularly. “All rescue teams are here, including police, medical and Railways. All measures have been taken to rescue the trapped persons,” George said.

Relief and rescue operations are on in full swing with medical teams from both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu on the spot. Police and Railway officials said efforts were being made to reach those trapped inside the derailed bogies.

The injured have been rushed to hospitals in nearby Hosur and Bengaluru, they said. “I am on way to Bangalore to visit accident site to help all stranded. All possible help will be rendered to families affected,” Prabhu said.

The minister said he would be visiting the accident site to personally monitor the operation. “I am on way to Bangalore to visit accident site to help all stranded. All possible help will be rendered to families affected,” he added.

Help desks have been set up at Bangalore City Railway Station and at the accident site. Bengaluru city help desk numbers are 080-22371166, 080-22156553, 080-22156554, 9731666751. Accident site number is 9448090599.

Karnataka health minister U.T. Khader said here that medical teams have been rushed from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. He said according to information available with state authorities, more than 50 people were injured.