"At least 40 people were injured on Wednesday when 15 coaches of the Sealdah-Ajmer express train derailed between Rura -Metha in Kanpur Dehat, leading to disruption of rail traffic on the Kanpur route", Railway officials said.

"The mishap occurred at about 5:20 AM, 50 kms from Kanpur. The 15 waggons of the Sealdah-Ajmer express train 12988 derailed in the wee hours," a Kanpur Rail division official here said.

The incident has stirred the movement of trains on the route. The district administration and railway officials carried out the rescue and relief operations in the district.

Meanwhile, more rescue teams were called from Etawah and Kanpur to the accident site.

"The cause of the derailment was not known immediately, sources said.

Senior officials have been directed to reach the accident site immediately", Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said, adding "immediate medical help is being provided to the injured."

"A thorough investigation will be carried out to ascertain the cause", he added.

"Ex gratia will be paid to all injured. All passengers are being provided with necessary assistance to ensure the least inconvenience", the minister said.

"As per preliminary reports 15 coaches of the train got derailed. The first 5 & last 3 coaches were intact, Anil Saxena", Indian Railways spokesman said.

He also said that "the rescue operations were underway and all passengers were being provided with necessary assistance to ensure the least inconvenience."

"Senior officials from the Kanpur Rail division have rushed to the site", he said.

"Personally monitoring the situation in wake of unfortunate derailment of Sealdah-Ajmer express near Kanpur," said Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu.

"I have directed senior officials to reach the site immediately. Immediate medical help being provided to the injured. A thorough investigation will be carried out to ascertain the cause," he added.

(Video Source: NTV Telugu)

BY M. DIVYA SRI