Bikaner-Guwahati train accident: Death toll rises to 9, 36 injured
Bikaner-Guwahati train accident update: At least nine people have been killed and over 39 are reported injured in the Bikaner-Guwahati train accident. On Thursday, 12 coaches of the Bikaner-Guwahati Express train derailed and some overturned near Domohani in West Bengal's Jalpaiguri district.
"So far, seven passengers have died. We recovered four bodies from the scene of the accident, while three people died in the hospital," said Jalpaiguri District Magistrate Moumita Godara Basu.
Injured have been rushed to Jalpaigudi District Hospital and New Moinagudi district hospital. The death toll is expected to rise as some are in critical condition.
According to sources, rescuers thoroughly searched each coach for survivors and bodies despite the darkness and thick fog. "Cranes are now being used to remove the damaged compartments," added District Magistrate Basu.
Furthermore, Railway Minister Ashwani Vaishnaw is scheduled to visit the Bikaner-Guwahati Express accident site on Friday in order to review the situation.
"I am reaching the site tomorrow morning. Medical teams, senior officers at the spot. PM Modi also took stock of the situation and rescue operation," tweeted the railway minister on Thursday.
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While announcing an increase in ex-gratia compensation for the accident victims, he wrote, "Enhanced amount of ex-gratia compensation to the victims of this unfortunate accident: 5 Lakh in case of death, 1 Lakh towards grievous and 25,000 for minor injuries."
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) rushed two teams to rescue passengers trapped after the Bikaner-Guwahati train met a horrifying accident, said the latest update.
Briefing media persons over the accident, the Chief PRO of North-East Frontier Railway, Guwahati, Guneet Kaur said, "Accident occurred around 5 pm between Domohani and New Maynaguri. Around 10 coaches were affected. Three people are dead and 20 injured."
She informed that "a high-level inquiry has been ordered," adding that the rescue operation is almost complete and the teams have successfully rescued the affected passengers.
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-PTC News 
Furthermore, Railway Minister Ashwani Vaishnaw is scheduled to visit the Bikaner-Guwahati Express accident site on Friday in order to review the situation.
