Train derails in Bihar, four killed

At least four people were killed and eight injured after nine out of twelve bogies of Delhi-Dibrugarh Rajdhani Express train derailed in Bihar's Saran district early Wednesday, police said.

In another incident, 12 coaches of a goods train also derailed near Motihari in East Champaran district in Bihar. No casualties were reported. Motihari is about 60 km from Saran.

Saran Superintendent of Police Sudhir Kumar said: "Four passengers were killed and eight others were injured in the accident. All the injured were admitted to the hospital for treatment and some of them referred to Patna Medical College and Hospital in Patna".

Kumar ruled out any sabotage or hand of Maoists behind the derailment of the Rajdhani Express train.

"It is an accident and a result of technical fault," he said.

"About 500 metres of railway track was found uprooted, but no evidence of a blast or any other explosives recovered from the accident site," Kumar added.

Chief Public Relation Officer of East Central Railway Arvind Kumar Razak said: "The accident took place near Golden Ganj railway station near Chhapra (about 100 from here) where the Rajdhani Express train derailed around 2.30 a.m. The cause of the derailment is yet to be known. We are looking into it".

"ECR general manager Maduresh Kumar along with other top officials are camping at the accident site to ascertain the cause of the derailment," Razak said.

"Relief and rescue trains were sent to the accident site from Hajipur and train traffic has been paralysed on the route," he added.

The Bihar government has also ordered an inquiry into the accident.

"State home secretary Amir Subhani has asked the Saran district magistrate and superintendent of police to inquire into it and submit their report soon," an official said.

Meanwhile, former railway minister Lalu Prasad told media persons here "This derailment is an outcome of negligence on the part of the railways."

"The railway ministry should take the responsibility for the accident due to negligence," he added.