Survivors of West Bengal train collision reach their destination

RANCHI - The relief train of remaining bogies of the Vananchal Express that was involved in a collision at Sainthia just after midnight in West Bengal arrived with the survivors at its destination, Ranchi in Jharkhand on Monday.

Nearly 60 persons were killed and more than 100 injured when the speeding Sealdah-bound Uttar Banga Express rammed into the stationary Vananchal Express.

On reaching the Ranchi Railway Station, the survivors recalled and shared their moments of shock and anxiety.

V K Agarwal, Divisional Railway Manager of Ranchi Division, South Eastern Railway who was at the railway station to receive the train carrying the survivors, said that the railway administration had provided necessary medical assistance to the victims.

“We came here with doctors to provide medical assistance to the victims. The victims were provided with lunch at Bokaro. The victims got all the attention in Muri as well. They also got assistance in Bokaro, although it was not there. The same we are doing in Ranchi,” said Agarwal.

He also mentioned that the victims were taken to the hospitals for further treatment.

“Ninety four plus 22 is the official report that we have…so it makes 116 all total. 94 injured victims were taken to the Shirdi Hospital and the other 22 are in Vardhaman Hospital,” added Agarwal.

One of the survivors Pintoo Singh recalled the horrific accident by saying he had been treated for his broken arm from the doctors present on the platform.

“All the three bogies were totally wrecked…. nobody is alive. I did not realise what had happened as I had fainted after falling down. I did not have anybody with me but others helped me to recover and then I saw what has happened,” said Singh.

This is the second major accident in the state of West Bengal within two months.

In May, a Mumbai-bound speeding derailed killing more than 70 people. This mishap was attributed to sabotage by the Maoists. (ANI)