After the Dibrugarh Express derailed near Gonda on Thursday, resulting in three fatalities and more than 33 injuries, the train driver reported hearing a loud explosion just before the accident.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud explosion moments before the accident, raising questions about the cause of the derailment.
The train, travelling from Chandigarh to Dibrugarh, had passed Gonda station at 01:58 pm and derailed shortly after crossing the Motiganj railway station, about 150 km from Lucknow.
Passengers recalled the harrowing experience. One traveller, who was headed to Hajipur, recounted the moments before the derailment: “Fifteen minutes after leaving Gonda, the train tilted left and right twice. The third time, we all fell on the left side. There was a mild explosion before the incident and then a strong jolt. Our coach derailed, and we were coming from Chandigarh.”
Sandeep Kumar, travelling in a sleeper coach, described the chaotic aftermath.
“I remember the loud cries of a boy sitting across from me. The coach was filled with dust and darkness. In the next few seconds, passengers helped me out through a window,” he said.
Another passenger, Dileep Singh, who was travelling to Chhapra, Bihar, added, “I had climbed to the upper berth for a nap after the train left Gonda. I remember a strong jerk before being thrown to the other side's upper berth. I hoped it was a dream, but it wasn’t.”
Sunita Sethiya, 42, travelling from Chandigarh to Gorakhpur, was in the washroom when the accident occurred.
“As soon as I came out, I felt a strong jolt. Luckily, both gates were closed. I got hit by the gate. Had it been open, I would have fallen straight down. The villagers helped us a lot,” she said.
In the chaos that ensued, passengers began escaping through emergency windows and doors of the tilted sleeper coaches.
Some went back to retrieve their belongings. In the AC coaches, passengers broke window panes to rescue those injured or trapped.
The accident site, surrounded by fields, forced passengers to wade through knee-deep water to reach a nearby approach road. Many, shocked or injured, sat on the tracks waiting for rescue.
The Ministry of Railways responded swiftly, announcing financial assistance for the victims: ₹10 lakh for the families of the deceased, ₹2.5 lakh for the seriously injured, and ₹50,000 for those with minor injuries. A high-level inquiry, in addition to the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) investigation, has been ordered.
District Magistrate of Gonda, Neha Sharma, confirmed the fatalities and injuries.
“Two people have died, and approximately 20 others are injured. They are being treated. Passengers will be transported to their destination by a rescue special train,” she said.
A total of 21 coaches derailed, including five AC coaches, one pantry, and one general coach.
Aditi Umrao, Project Director at the Relief Commissioner’s office, stated that helpline numbers have been activated and rescue operations are ongoing.
“Two coaches of the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh train have derailed. Two people have lost their lives, and around 26 are injured. DM, SP, and other officials are at the site. Ambulances, three SDRF teams, and two NDRF teams are deployed. Rahat Helpline 1070 is active 24x7. The rescue operation is nearing completion,” she said.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed officials to ensure swift treatment for the injured. In a post on social media platform X, he expressed his condolences and emphasized the importance of prompt rescue and relief efforts.
“The train accident in Gonda district is extremely sad. District administration officials are directed to carry out relief and rescue operations on a war footing and ensure injured passengers receive top priority in treatment. I pray to Lord Shri Ram for the speedy recovery of the injured,” he wrote.
The state's Relief Commissioner confirmed that additional NDRF teams from Lucknow and Balrampur were dispatched to assist in the rescue operations in Gonda.
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