KUTOKA UDOSINI: Latest: Train derails; 15 dead, more than 150 injured

In a suspected Maoist attack, a blast derailed 13 coaches of the Gyaneswari Express.

Latest reports say 15 people are dead, including the driver and over 150 injured when the Mumbai-bound Gyaneshwari Express derailed in the Maoist stronghold of West Midnapur district of West Bengal.

The blast happened early Friday morning, about 130 kms away from Howrah, where 13 coaches were derailed. An oncoming goods train also collided with the derailed coaches causing further casualties. There is no road access to this area, delaying rescue work. Eventually police and rescue teams have reached the accident site and injured passengers are being treated.
The union Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee is rushed to the spot. She has already announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakhs to next of kin of the dead. The injured have been taken to hospitals in Kharagpur.
The blast happened around 1:35 am. 13 coaches, among which 11 were sleeper coaches and 1 a passenger coach were mangled in the incident.
As of now, most trains coming from the western region have been diverted from the incident site, as both up and down lines have been blocked.
Yahoo.news