Early this morning, the Howrah-Mumbai Express derailed near Rajkharsuan, Jharkhand, resulting in the deaths of two passengers and injuring more than 20 others. The derailment occurred near Barabambo station, 7 km from Rajkharsuan in the Chakradharpur division, at 3:45 am after the Howrah-Mumbai Express collided with a freight train. The impact caused 18 coaches to derail, including 16 passenger coaches, one pantry car, and a power car. The exact cause of the derailment remains under investigation.
Senior railway officials, including the Chakradharpur Division ADRM, rushed to the site to assess the situation. The injured were promptly taken to a medical center for treatment. Special trains and buses have been arranged to rescue stranded passengers. Following the derailment, five train services have been canceled: Howrah-Titilagarh-Kantabanji Ispat Express, Khadagpur-Dhanabad, Howrah-Bhubaneswar-Howrah Janshatabdi, Tatanagar-Itwari Express, and Salima-LTT Express. Additionally, four trains have been short-terminated and eight trains rerouted.
A special control room has been established at Howrah station to provide information about the injured. Helpline numbers have been issued for affected areas:
- Rourkela: 0661-2501072, 0661-2500244, 0661-2500191, 0661-2500171
- Jharsuguda: 06645-272530
- Chakradharpur: 72770, 06587-238072
- Tatanagar: 0657-2290324, RLY-73523