20 Coaches of Sabarmati Express Go Off Tracks After Striking Object; Investigation Underway
In Short:
- 20 coaches of Sabarmati Express (19168) derailed between Kanpur and Bhimsen stations early Saturday morning.
- No injuries or casualties have been reported.
- The train was traveling from Varanasi to Ahmedabad.
- The derailment occurred after the engine struck an object on the tracks, damaging the front portion.
- Seven trains were canceled, and three others were diverted.
- Passengers were transferred to another train to continue their journey to Ahmedabad.
- Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed the incident and stated that evidence is being secured.
- Law enforcement agencies are investigating possible sabotage.
Early on Saturday morning, 20 coaches of the Sabarmati Express (19168), running from Varanasi to Ahmedabad, derailed between Kanpur and Bhimsen stations in Uttar Pradesh. The derailment happened after the train's engine collided with an object placed on the tracks. Thankfully, no injuries or casualties were reported.
According to the Railways, the locomotive's pilot believed that a boulder had struck the cattle guard—the front part of the engine—causing significant damage and leading to the derailment.
Following the incident, the Railways took immediate action by canceling seven trains and diverting three others. The passengers of the derailed Sabarmati Express were transferred to another train, allowing them to continue their journey to Ahmedabad without further delay.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw addressed the situation, stating that the incident is being thoroughly investigated. "The engine of Sabarmati Express, traveling from Varanasi to Ahmedabad, hit an object placed on the track near Kanpur at 2:35 AM today. There are clear signs of impact, and we are preserving the evidence. The Intelligence Bureau (IB) and Uttar Pradesh police are actively working on the case. Thankfully, no passengers or staff were injured. We arranged another train for the passengers to continue their journey," Vaishnaw wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Railway and law enforcement officials are exploring the possibility of foul play, especially since a Patna-Indore train passed through the same tracks just an hour before the Sabarmati Express without incident.
For those seeking information, the Railways have issued the following helpline numbers:
- Prayagraj: 0532-2408128, 0532-2407353
- Tundla: 7392959702
- Ahmedabad: 07922113977
- Banaras City: 8303994411
- Gorakhpur: 0551-2208088
- Virangana Lakshmibai Jhansi Jn: 0510-2440787, 0510-2440790
- Kanpur: 0512-2323018, 0512-2323015
- Mirzapur: 0544-22200097
- Etawah: 7525001249
- Orai: 05162-252206
- Banda: 05192-227543
- Lalitpur Jn: 07897992404