Pukhrayan train derailment
 Pukhrayan
Location within Uttar Pradesh
Pukhrayan
Location within Uttar Pradesh
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| Date | 20 November 2016 |
|---|---|
| Time | 3:10 a.m. local time (21:40 UTC, 19 November) |
| Location | Pukhrayan, Uttar Pradesh |
| Coordinates | 26°13′50″N 79°50′54″E / 26.23056°N 79.84833°E |
| Country | India |
| Rail line | Indore–Patna Express |
| Operator | Indian Railways Western Zone |
| Type of incident | Derailment |
| Cause | Under investigation/Suspected Act of Terrorism |
| Statistics | |
| Trains | 1 |
| Deaths | 150 |
| Injuries | ≈150 |
On 20 November 2016, the Indore–Patna Express 19321, a scheduled train from Indore to Patna, derailed near Pukhrayan, Kanpur, India, resulting in at least 150 deaths and more than 150 injuries. It is the deadliest train accident in India since 1999, when the Gaisal train disaster claimed 290 lives.
The Indore–Patna Express travels twice a week between Indore Junction railway station and Rajendra Nagar Terminal in Patna. At approximately 03:10 local time on 20 November, the train derailed in the town of Pukhrayan near the city of Kanpur. Fourteen carriages were derailed and early reports had at least 120 people killed and over 260 injured, with the death toll later rising to 150, and injured reduced to 150 people.
According to officials, most of the casualties were from two severely damaged coaches, namely S1 and S2 of , and heavy machinery was being used to rescue passengers trapped in the train.
The rescue and operations were carried out by the Indian Army, the National Disaster Response Force, teams of doctors and local police. Rail mobile-medical units were also on site. Helpline numbers for those affected by the derailment were issued by Indian Railways.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he was "Anguished beyond words on the loss of lives due to the derailing of the Indore–Patna Express" and added that his "thoughts are with the bereaved families", in a tweet. The Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu tweeted, "Strictest possible action will be taken against those who could be responsible for accident".
As the rescue operation was underway, the Indian Railways, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief ministers across the states of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar announced ex-gratia payments for the victims of the accident. Earlier on 1 September 2016, the Indian Railways had launched an optional insurance scheme at a low premium.
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