As many as two persons were killed after 18 coaches of the Howrah-CSMT Express train derailed in Jharkhand’s Chakradharpur division on Tuesday, news agency PTI reported citing West Singhbhum DC. The mishap took place between Rajkharsawan and Barabamboo stations. After receiving the news of the incident, a relief train and ambulances were rushed to the site.

The Mail Express reportedly collided with a freight train coming from the down line, causing 18 coaches of the Mail Express to derail, while several coaches of the freight train were damaged. Over a dozen were left injured in the accident. 

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According to the information received, cited by Jagran.com, the Mumbai Mail, travelling from Howrah to Mumbai, reached Tatanagar at 2:37 AM instead of the scheduled time of 11:02 PM on Monday night. After a two-minute halt, it departed for the next station, Chakradharpur. However, before it could reach its next station, the train met with an accident at 3:45 AM, just past Barabamboo.

Since the accident, traffic on the Howrah-Mumbai route has come to a complete halt. According to the information received, the freight and coaching train coaches have been scattered over a large area, affecting the third line as well. The overhead line, poles, and railway tracks have also been severely damaged due to the accident. However, the exact cause of the accident is still unclear. 

After the accident, relief trains have been dispatched from Tatanagar and Chakradharpur stations to the site. Additionally, an engineering department team has also been sent to investigate the accident. Notably, just a week ago, the General Manager of South Eastern Railway, Anil Kumar Mishra, visited the section. The Chief Executive Director (PDE) of the Railway Board, KRK Reddy, is currently in the Chakradharpur division, reviewing the new railway line coming to the division.

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Following the accident, the railway has issued helpline numbers. People can contact 06572 290324 in Tatanagar, 06587 238072 in Chakradharpur, 0661 2501072 and 0661 2500244 in Rourkela, and 94333 57920 and 033 26382217 in Howrah for information.