The death toll in yesterday's Kalka Mail accident in Uttar Pradesh has gone up to sixty five. The North Central Railway Chief PRO Sandeep Mathur told our Allahabad correspondent that two of the victims are Swedish citizens. About 250 passengers have been injured in the rail accident. Meanwhile, twelve injured passengers have been brought to Allahabad for treatment and admitted to the S R N Hospital.Relief and rescue operations are in full swing but rail traffic is still disrupted. Army and Air Force have also been pressed into service. About 60 trains have been diverted and 28 cancelled so far. The Railway has already announced compensation of five lakh rupees for the family of victims of this accident while one lakh rupees will be given to seriously injured and 25 thousand to those who got minor injuries. The Uttar Pradesh Government has also announced one lakh rupees financial asstance for the dependents of victims and 50 thousand for seriously injured and 25 thousand for those having minor injuries.The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Mrs. Sonia Gandhi have expressed deep shock and sorrow at the loss of lives in the train mishap.According to the Railway officials in Chandigarh, 98 passengers belong to Chandigarh and Kalka in the Kalka Mail train mishap. A helpline has been set-up at Chandigarh Railway Station with two telephone numbers: 0172-2639785 and 0172-2658924.
News On AIR | July 11, 2011 10:50 AM
Kalka Mail derailment: Death toll rises to 65