Vasco Da Gama Express derailment; Senior Official sacked over negligent investigation

NewsBharati    28-Nov-2017
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Lucknow, November 28: The Indian Railways today fired a senior official of tracks over the November 24 derailment of the Vasco Da Gama Express. 13 coaches of the Patna-bound train derailed near Manikpur in Uttar Pradesh, killing 3 people.

"A permanent way inspector also called a senior section officer, Rajesh Verma, who was in-charge of Manikpur has been suspended over the incident pending investigation", the Rail spokesperson Anil Saxena stated. 

According to ADG (Law and Order), Anand Kumar, prima facie a fractured railway track led to the accident "as per local assessment."

"Another possible reason being cited is that due to some technical problem, emergency brakes were slammed, causing the derailment," he said, adding that it can be confirmed only by railway authorities.

While the real reason behind the accident will be ascertained only after a probe by the Commissioner of Railway Safety, initial investigations suggested that a rail fracture led to the derailment.

Meanwhile, a passenger train derailed in the national capital today, however, none have been injured in the mishap. The Palwal-New Delhi-Ghaziabad passenger train (64055) derailed after one of its wheels slipped the track at Okhla.

The DRM and other railway officials rushed to the spot while arrangements were being made to evacuate the passengers. The Northern Railways' CPRO has confirmed the incident.