At least nine people were killed and over a dozen got injured when two trains collided late Tuesday in Uttar Pradesh's Gorakhpur city, officials said.
The accident took place after Krishak Express jumped a signal that brought it on the same track as Barauni Express. The incident took place around 11:30 p.m. when the Barauni Express was passing the Nandanagar crossing.
The driver of the Krishak Express was to halt at the 'home signal' but he apparently jumped the red signal leading to a head on collision with the Barauni Express, officials said.
As a result of the collision, five unreserved general class coaches of the Barauni Express derailed. The Krishak Express tore through the fifth coach and badly damaged the sixth, seventh and the eight coach of the Barauni Express.
Drivers of the Krishak Express Ram Bahadur and Satyajeet Kumar escaped from the accident site, an official told IANS.
Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the North-Eastern Railways (NER) Alok Singh admitted that the drivers of the Krishak Express overshot the red signal. A probe has been ordered by the Railway Board into the incident, he said.
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Gas cutters and cranes have been pressed into service and the Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel stationed nearby have joined the rescue and relief operations.
The district administration is also overseeing and coordinating the efforts between various agencies, a state home department official said.