Kaifiyat Express derails in UP, at least 70 injured

This is the second such incident in Uttar Pradesh in a space of four days.

A spokesperson for the North Central Railway (NCR) told media that the train collided with a dumper at around 2 am in the morning.

Out of the nine derailed compartments, one overturned due to the impact of the collision.

The incident was also confirmed by Union railway Minister Suresh Prabhu, who took to Twitter to share the news.

"A dumper hit the locomotive of the Kaifiyat Express,resulting in derailment of coaches," his tweet read.

In an ensuing tweet, Prabhu stated that some passengers were moved to a local clinic, where they received medical aid.

"Some passengers have received Injuries and have been shifted to nearby hospitals.I am personally monitoring situation,rescue operations," he said.

"Have directed senior officers to reach the site immediately," a following tweet read.

However, even as media reports stated that 70 people were injured, according to a tweet by Railway Ministry, it stood at 25.

"Unauthorisedly one Dumper crossed Rly Fence & hit the Loco of Kaifiat Ex causing Derailment:No Casualty,25Injured(21 with Simple injuries)," the tweet read.

The incident also hampered rail operation significant as seven trains, including the Kanpur-New Delhi Shatabdi Express, have been cancelled.

Five others, including the Howrah-New Delhi Rajdhani Express, have been diverted.

At least 40 local trains too were diverted as the accident caused a blockage to both the Up and Down routes.

A medical train and rescue forces have been dispatched to the accident site.

The ministry have also released helpline numbers.

Earlier on Saturday, at least 22 people were killed and 156 others were injured after the Utkal Express derailed in Muzaffarnagar district of UP. 

Image: twitter.com/RailMinIndia