Agency report

Kottayam, Jul 17: The passengers of a superfast train in Kerala had a miraculous escape after the train engine was derailed late Monday night.
 
The engine of the Thiruvananthapuram-Chennai Superfast Express skidded off the tracks at Kurupunthara, about 15 km from Kottayam, at around 10 pm.

"The first information report that I have received is that because the train was moving very slow on account of heavy rain and erosion of soil from the side, a major tragedy was averted," Kottayam superintendent of police S Srijith said.

"Four fire engines have already reached the spot but the biggest problem is that it is pitch dark there. So far, the reports indicate that there is no reason for any panic," he said.

"Right now we are unable to say when the normal rail traffic would resume," he added.

After the derailment, Southern Railway has diverted long-distance trains coming to and from state capital Thiruvananthapuram through the Alappuzha route, causing minimum disturbance to passengers.