According to preliminary reports, the locomotive driver apparently overshot the signal and as a result, the engine and two adjoining coaches derailed, Railway Spokesperson Anil Saxena said in Delhi.
"Six persons were killed and about 50 persons were injured in the accident," the spokesperson said.
Railways have ordered an inquiry and announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of those killed in the accident.
While Rs 50,000 will be given to those injured seriously, Rs 20,000 will be given to people with minor injuries.
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The villagers helped in extricating passengers trapped in the mangled coaches of the train.
The spot of the accident presented a devastated sight with one of the bogies reduced to a mangle of steel.
Train movement on the Lucknow-Varanasi section of the Northern Railway has been disrupted due to the accident.
The injured passengers have been rushed to the district hospital.