Date:21/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/21/stories/2008032159991000.htm

Tamil Nadu

Madurai-Kollam train derails, 17 injured

P. Sudhakar and S. Vijay Kumar

Track to the extent of 260 metres badly damaged

TIRUNELVELI: Seventeen passengers, including a girl child and an Australian tourist, were injured when the Madurai-Kollam fast passenger derailed at Muthusamypuram, 60 km from here, on Thursday.

According to Railways sources, the accident took place at 3.55 a.m. between Valliyur and Aralvaymoli stations in the Thiruvananthapuram division. Of the 18 coaches, five were thrown off the track and another two slipped.

Passengers trapped inside the coaches were rescued by police and Fire and Rescue Service personnel from Nanguneri, Valliyoor and Nagercoil.

Intermittent rain at the accident site hampered relief and rescue operations. Railway track to the extent of 260 metres was badly damaged. Traffic between Tirunelveli and Nagercoil was paralysed and south-bound trains from Chennai and other destinations were terminated at Tirunelveli.

“Despite the rain, restoration works are in full swing. We hope to resume train services by Friday morning. Since 260 metres of track is being re-laid, trains will be operated with restricted speed. The embankments have become slushy and slippery due to rain, which has slowed down the repair works. An enquiry by the Commissioner of Railway Safety has been ordered into the cause of derailment,” Southern Railway General Manager Rakesh Chopra told The Hindu after visiting the site.

Mr. Chopra handed over Rs. 5,000 each to the victims in various hospitals.

Commissioner of Railway Safety, K.J.S. Naidu, will conduct an enquiry at Nagercoil station on March 22 and 23. Any person having knowledge about the derailment can give evidence in person or write to the CRS, Southern Circle, Bangalore.