31 killed as two trains derail in India

At least 31 people were killed and more than 70 injured when two trains derailed within minutes of each other while crossing a small bridge in Madhya Pradesh shortly before midnight on Tuesday, reports Hindustantimes.

Among the dead were 11 members of a family from Umrao village in Narsinghpur district of Madhya Pradesh. Jernail Singh, the head of the family, told Hindustan Times at the accident site that 14 members of the family were travelling to the pilgrimage town of Shirdi.

Officials engaged in the rescue operations said they feared the death toll could rise. Survivors said some persons could have been washed away by the swollen waters of the Kalimachak river.

More than 200 people were rescued from the site and sent to the nearby Itarsi railway station.

The accident occurred at Kudwa, 18 km from the district headquarters Harda, located between Bhirangi and Khirakia railway stations. Traffic on both up and down lines came to a halt after the accident.

Harda district public relations officer Vitthal Maheshwari said 31 people were killed, including 10 women and five children.

Railway Board chairman AK Mittal said the derailment of the two trains may have been caused by a sudden flash flood. The movement of trains at the spot had been absolutely normal even 10 minutes before the accident and there was no inkling of problems at the site.

Another official said two trains had crossed the spot about nine minutes before the accident.

An inquiry was ordered into the accident and the commissioner of railway safety (central zone) will conduct the probe.