Harda twin train derailment
{{Short description|2015 railway accident in Madhya Pradesh, India}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2015}}
{{Infobox public transit accident
| name = Harda twin train derailment
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| pushpin_map_alt = map showing the Harda district shown within Madhya Pradesh, India
| pushpin_map_caption = Harda district shown within Madhya Pradesh
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| coordinates = {{coord|22.22320|76.93053|type:event|display=inline}}
| date =
| time = 4 August 2015, 23:30 IST
| location = Near {{rws|Kurawan}} station, Harda district, Madhya Pradesh, India
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| country = India
| line = Khandwa-Itarsi Railway line
| operator = Indian Railways
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| type = Derailment
| cause = Trackbed washed away
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| trains = Two
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| passengers = 300+
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| deaths = 31
| injuries = ~100
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On 4 August 2015, two passenger trains – Kamayani Express and Janata Express – derailed near Kurawan and Bhringi railway station, {{convert|20|km|mi}} southwest of Harda, Madhya Pradesh.{{cite news|url=http://thehindu.com/news/national/kamayani-express-derails-in-madhya-pradesh-some-bogies-fall-into-river/article7500311.ece|title=29 killed in Harda twin train derailment|work=The Hindu}}{{cite news|url=http://ibnlive.com/news/india/kamayani-and-janata-express-accident-railways-sets-up-helpline-numbers-in-harda-bhopal-bina-itarsee-1030313.html|title=Kamayani and Janata Express train accidents|work=IBN|access-date=5 August 2015|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304091737/http://www.ibnlive.com/news/india/kamayani-and-janata-express-accident-railways-sets-up-helpline-numbers-in-harda-bhopal-bina-itarsee-1030313.html|url-status=dead}} At least 31 people were killed and 100 people were injured.{{Citation needed|date = August 2015}}
Accident
The Kamayani Express, which was headed to Varanasi on the down line, derailed as flash floods (caused by Cyclonic Storm Komen) dislodged a culvert near the Machak river, causing track misalignment. The derailment resulted in some coaches becoming submerged in the river and some coaches blocking the up line. The Janata Express derailed near the same spot soon after. At least 31 people died and 100 people were injured. Several people were reported to be washed away by the river.{{cite news|url=http://hindustantimes.com/india-news/varanasi-bound-kamayani-express-derails-bogies-fall-into-machak-river-in-madhya-pradesh/article1-1376583.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150806192332/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/varanasi-bound-kamayani-express-derails-bogies-fall-into-machak-river-in-madhya-pradesh/article1-1376583.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 August 2015|title=20 dead after MP twin train derailment|work=Hindustan Times}}{{cite web|title = India train crash: multiple deaths as two express services derail at bridge|url = https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/05/india-train-crash-deaths-feared-as-two-services-derail-and-carriages-fall-in-river|website = the Guardian|accessdate = 5 August 2015}}{{cite web|title = Indian trains derailed by flash flood in Madhya Pradesh – BBC News|url = https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-33783060|accessdate = 5 August 2015}}{{cite news|url=http://hindustantimes.com/india-news/varanasi-bound-kamayani-express-derails-bogies-fall-into-machak-river-in-madhya-pradesh/article1-1376583.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150806192332/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/varanasi-bound-kamayani-express-derails-bogies-fall-into-machak-river-in-madhya-pradesh/article1-1376583.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 August 2015|title=Sudden flash flood may have caused accident|work=Hindustan Times}} Six coaches of the Kamayani Express and the engine plus the four coaches of the Janata Express derailed.{{cite web|title = Washout of Track Led to Derailment of Two Trains: Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu|url = http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/washout-of-track-led-to-derailment-of-two-trains-railway-minister-suresh-prabhu-1204072?ndtv_related|accessdate = 5 August 2015}}
A train had safely crossed the bridge ten minutes before the first derailment. The river level was abnormally high, and flash floods gradually washed away the trackbed, resulting in sinking of the track. The driver of the Janata Express applied the brakes but could not stop the train from derailing.{{cite web|title = Suresh Prabhu calls Harda derailment a natural calamity; officials feel warning signs ignored|url = https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/suresh-prabhu-calls-harda-derailment-a-natural-calamity-officials-feel-warning-signs-ignored/articleshow/48367745.cms|access-date = 5 August 2015}}
Rescue
Rescuers searched through the night for survivors and bodies. Over 300 people were rescued. The adverse weather conditions delayed the arrival of the rescue teams. Local residents were reported to have helped initially.{{cite web|title = Dozens Still Missing In Harda Train Tragedy, 300 Rescued|url = http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/25-still-missing-in-harda-train-tragedy-300-rescued-1204054|accessdate = 5 August 2015}} By the morning of 5 August, the derailed trains had been removed and the bodies of the victims recovered.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-33783060 |title=Indian trains in deadly derailment in Madhya Pradesh |publisher=BBC News |accessdate=5 August 2015}} Over 25 trains traveling from Mumbai, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh were stopped or diverted, mainly into neighboring Rajasthan.
Investigation
The Commissioner for Railway Safety in the Central Railway zone opened an inquiry into the accident.{{cite web |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/flooding-of-tracks-caused-derailment-says-a-k-mittal-chairman-railway-board/ |title=Flooding of tracks caused derailment, says A K Mittal, Chairman, Railway Boa |work=The Indian Express |accessdate=5 August 2015}}
See also
References
{{reflist|30em}}
{{2015 railway accidents}}
{{Disasters in India in 2015}}
Category:2015 disasters in India
Category:Rail transport in Madhya Pradesh
Category:Railway accidents in 2015
Category:Railway accidents and incidents in Madhya Pradesh