Two die as train derails in Tamil Nadu (Lead, changing dateline)

Two people died and several passengers were injured when Kochi bound Bangalore-Kochi Intercity train derailed Friday morning near Hossur in Tamil Nadu, said an official.

"As per the information available, two people have died and several others have been injured in the train derailment," the official told IANS.

The train was bound to Bangalore from Ernakulam in Kerala.

As per information available, the D8 coach-second class sitting is severely affected.

Four coaches have derailed in the accident, the official added.

Earlier, a passenger onboard, Cyriac Mathew, told the media over telephone that the accident occurred around 7.45 a.m. and that he had seen three bodies. However, officials confirmed the death of two passengers.

"...The worst affected was the coach D-8. I could see the bodies of two men and a woman in the coach...," said Mathew, who is regular traveller on the train.

"Police and the ambulance arrived an hour after the accident," Mattew said.

He said some passengers have suffered minor injuries and that rescue operations are underway.