Twenty-two coaches of the Sabarmati Express, traveling from Varanasi to Sabarmati, derailed early Saturday morning near Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh, causing alarm among passengers. The incident occurred shortly after the train left Kanpur, with the derailment taking place near Bhimsen.
Emergency teams, including police and local authorities, responded swiftly, ensuring all passengers were safely evacuated. Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities were reported.
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw posted on X (formerly Twitter) that the train's engine struck an object placed on the tracks, leading to the derailment at 2:35 a.m. He noted that the engine bore sharp impact marks, and the situation is being closely investigated by the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and Uttar Pradesh police.
The accident has completely blocked the route, which is a crucial corridor for trains traveling from Kanpur towards Mumbai.
Indian Railways has arranged buses to transport passengers to Kanpur. According to initial reports, the derailment occurred after the train hit a boulder, causing significant damage to the engine's cattle guard.
An investigation into the incident is currently underway by the Indian Railways.
Additionally, the Railways has provided emergency helpline numbers for passengers and their families. The contact numbers are as follows: Virangana Lakshmibai Jhansi Junction – 0510-2440787 or 0510-2440790; Orai – 05162-252206; Banda – 05192-227543; Lalitpur Junction – 07897992404.