From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Chennai, Sep 4: At least 38 passengers, including 25 women, were injured when Train No. 16859 Chennai Egmore-Mangalore Central Express derailed near Poovanur railway station in Tiruchi Division around 2 am on Friday.
All the injured passengers are out of danger.
Special buses were arranged to move the stranded passengers to Villuppuram, Tiruchi, Salem and other places.
A team of revenue and transport officials were deployed to provide assistance to the passengers.
Most of the injured passengers were treated as out-patients at the Vridhachalam government hospital.
The Mangalore Express proceeded to its destination after six coaches were detached from the train.
Cudalore Collector S Suresh Kumar and Superintendent of Police Vijay Kumar also reached the spot to supervise relief and rescue operations.
The derailment happened minutes after the train passed Poovanur railway station, some 8 kms north of Vridhachalam.
Tamil Nadu State police have ruled out possibility of a sabotage.
As a result of the accident, all trains heading to Chennai Egmore from southern Tamil Nadu were detained at various stations in Tiruchi division. They were diverted via Thanjavur and Salem to Chennai and other destinations, railway authorities said.
Except the Madurai-Chennai Pandian Superfast Express, all other trains from southern destinations to Chennai Egmore were held up due to the derailment, the railway sources said.
According to preliminary reports six coaches, including the last vehicle, derailed.
'108' ambulances were called to move the injured passengers to a government hospital in Vridhachalam.
Senior railway officials rushed from a Chennai and Tiruchi and commenced restoration work.
The Madurai-Chennai Vaigai and Tiruchi-Chennai Pallavan Superfast Express trains would be run via Thanjavur and Kumbakonam, railway sources said.
Officials from the railways, police and district administration have visited the accident site, the official said.
The Mangalore-bound train later departed after detaching the derailed bogies and special buses for Trichy, Salem, were arranged to carry passengers who were not willing to continue the train journey.
The injured were being treated at the government hospital in Virudhachalam.
An official of education department travelling in the train complained that he had lost around Rs.150,000 official cash after the accident.
The Railways today ordered an inquiry into the derailment of the Chennai-Mangalore Express and said action would be taken against those responsible.
"Inquiry ordered in derailment... pending that, ordered action on concerned staff responsible for this. Chair Rail board (Railway Board Chairman) on job of restoration", Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu tweeted.
He said government had extended all possible help to the injured passengers and wished them a speedy recovery.
Thirty-nine passengers of the Mangalore-bound express train were injured after four coaches derailed near Cuddalore district, about 200 kilometres from Chennai, at around 2 AM.
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa announced a compensation of Rs 50,000 for those with severe injuries and Rs 25,000 to persons with simple injuries.
In a statement, she expressed regret over the mishap and wished speedy recovery of the injured.
She said four persons were being treated as in-patients at Vriddhachalam and directed Cuddalore district administration to provide required medical and transportation facilities for the injured.
The Southern Railway has announced the following helplines for providing information on the derailment of the Chennai-Mangalore Express:
Tiruchi: 0431-2461241, 2410534
Vridhachalam: 04143-263767
Villupuram: 04146-241936
Chennai Egmore: 044-29015203
With Agency Inputs