The Guwahati-Bikaner Express derailed on Thursday evening around 5 pm in West Bengal. The incident has killed at least three people so far and left dozens injured. 

Even though the exact number of people who were on the train remains unclear, Patna junction’s Chief Reservation supervisor Rajesh Kumar said that 98 passengers boarded the train from Patna, 3 people from Mokama and 2 people from Bakhtiarpur. 

Multiple medical experts have been rushed to the incident site near Maynaguri as emergency rescue operations are underway. According to reports from News18 citing unnamed sources, more than 250 people have shifted to the hospital.

Moreover, more than a dozen individuals have been shifted to nearby hospitals with some of them in serious condition.

Media reports suggest that the National Disaster Response Force and the State Disaster Response Force have also been mobilised to the site of the accident. Additionally, ambulances, cutting equipment and food materials have also made their way, according to reports from News18.

Preliminary investigations suggest that a fault in the railway tracks may have caused the Guwahati-Bikaner Express to derail on Thursday evening. Meanwhile, a high level Commissioner Railway Safety inquiry has been initiated to probe the incident.

Minutes after the incident happened, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee posted a series of tweets addressing the matter and ensuring medical attention to those who have been injured. 

She wrote, “Deeply concerned to hear about the tragic accident of the Bikaner-Guwahati Express in Maynaguri.
Senior Officers of the State Government, DM/SP/IG North Bengal are supervising rescue and relief operations. Those injured will receive medical attention, as early as possible” while further adding that the “situation being closely monitored from the State HQs.”