Train mishap appears to be sabotage: Chidambaram

NEW DELHI - Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Friday said the derailment of the Howrah-Kurla-Gyaneshwari Express train in West Bengal’s West Midnapore District appeared to be a case of sabotage.

Chidambaram said in a statement: “I am deeply saddened by the tragedy that struck the Howrah-Kurla-Jnaneswari Express train in West Midnapore district in West Bengal this morning. It appears to be a case of sabotage where a portion of the railway track was removed.”

He stated that it was still not yet clear whether explosives were used to cause the accident.

“Whether explosives were used is not yet clear,” Chidambaram added.

He said that every action would be taken to rush the injured to hospital for medical treatment.

“I convey my sincere and heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. I offer my sympathies to the injured; every effort is being made to rush them to hospitals for medical treatment. Helicopters have been pressed into service,” he said.

Chidambaram said teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed to assist in rescue operation.

“NDRF has deployed 4 teams to assist in the rescue and relief operations. A total of 132 personnel with necessary equipment have reached the site of the tragedy and are assisting the State Government and Railway authorities,” he said.

On Friday morning, the Maoists blasted rail tracks in West Bengal’s West Midnapore District derailing 13 coaches of a Mumbai-bound express train, five of which were hit by a goods train, leaving at least 65 dead and 150 injured. (ANI