Kolkata-Sairang Express derails near Digaru station in Assam; railway says all passengers safe

The Kolkata-Sairang Express derailed near Digaru station on the outskirts of Guwahati in Assam on the morning of Wednesday, November 11. According to preliminary information, the passenger train was travelling from Mizoram to Kolkata, and its engine also left the tracks.

Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of Northeast Frontier Railway, said the accident took place at around 6:54 am. Train No. 13125 Kolkata-Sairang Express was being stopped at Digaru station to give way to another train. During this, the loco pilot could not keep the train's speed under control. As a result, the train derailed and the engine and five coaches separated.

According to Sharma, all passengers are safe and no one has died. Passengers are being taken to their destinations by another train. He also said relief and rescue work was started immediately. The General Manager (GM) has left for the spot with other officials.

According to Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), senior officials reached the site as soon as news of the accident came in. The railway has also sent a relief train. Teams of the police, the Railway Protection Force and the local administration are also at the spot. Passengers are being moved to a safe place.

Sharma said rail traffic has been completely disrupted because of the derailment. The routes of several trains are being changed. The accident happened around the time of the Diwali festival, and many people could not reach their families on time.

Differing accounts have emerged about whether passengers were injured in the accident, but the railway's official statement is that all passengers are safe and there are no reports of injury.