15 Feared Killed in Rail Mishap in NE India

NEW DELHI (NNN-Bernama) -- At least three people are confirmed dead while more others are feared killed and over 50 were injured in a train mishap near the northeastern Indian state of Assam's capital Gauhati Friday morning, said witnesses and officials.

The mishap occurred at around 09:45am local time when seven coaches of Bongaigaon-Guwahati Chilarai, a passenger train, derailed at an unmanned crossing in the state's Kamrup district soon after hitting an earth-cutting vehicle on its track.

Though railway officials put the death toll figures at only three, an eyewitness told China's Xinhua news agency by phone that she saw at least 15 people killed in the mishap. The driver of the train was among those killed, railway officials said.

Local TV channels showed footage of the derailed coaches and injured passengers being rushed to a local hospital while those critically wounded have been shifted to Gauhati Medical College Hospital. Senior Indian Railways officials have rushed to the spot and rescue teams are pressed into service, a senior official said.

This is the third train accident this year. On Jan 7, two people died in train collision in the eastern state of West Bengal. Another train accident was reported on Jan 11 when Brahmaputra Mail collided with a goods train leaving five people dead. -- NNN-BERNAMA