Bengaluru: At least 10 passengers were killed and over 150 were injured when an express train bound for Ernakulam in Kerala from Bengaluru derailed near Anekal, about 45 kms away from Bengaluru, on Friday.
As per railway officials, about nine coaches of the Bangalore-Ernakulam Inter City Express have been derailed in the mishap that took place between Anekal-Hosur on the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border at around 7.40 am.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the death of the passengers following the tragic incident.
“Saddened by the loss of lives due to derailing of Bangalore-Ernakulam Express. Condolences to the families of the deceased,” the Prime Minister tweeted.
The accident occurred after the train hit a boulder that had fallen on the track, tweeted Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu.
“Unfortunate rail accident in Karnataka, Boulder fell on track in Ghat section, train hit it. directed all sr officers to rush with full help.â€
The Karnataka government has rushed several ambulances to the spot and launched rescue operations.
The injured trapped in derailed bogies were being pulled out and rushed to hospitals in Bengaluru and nearby Hosur, sources said.
Two teams of the National Disaster Response Force have been rushed to the spot.
These are the helpline numbers in Kerala: Trivandrum – 0471-2321205/2321237, Ernakulam Junction – 0484-2100317/0813699773, Ernakulam town – 0484-2398200.
Helpline number for queries: 0471-2321237
(With inputs from agencies)