Mewar, Goa express collide near Mathura; 10 dead

The Goa Express crashed into the stationary Mewar Express near Mathura early on Wednesday, killing at least 10 people and injuring about 20. The toll could rise with several passengers still trapped inside the wreckage. Among the trapped are some children. "Some passengers are trapped and are being rescued," Sri Prakash, member, traffic, Railway Board said. Divisional Railway Manager, Agra, R D Tripathi, who was at the spot, said prima facie the train driver of the Goa Express was at fault since he ignored signals.

The Goa Express hit the Mewar Express from behind at 4:50am, Rajesh Vajpayee, CPRO North-Central Railway, told PTI. An unreserved compartment of the Mewar Express was damaged in the accident that took place between Mathura and Vrindavan. Gas cutters are being used to break open bogies. As many as 6 trains have been diverted and 5 trains cancelled. The 2909 Bandra-Nizamuddin Express, 2723 AP Express, 2627 Karnataka Express, 9325 Indore-Amritsar Express, 2951 Mumbai Rajdhani and 2192 Jabalpur-Delhi Express have been diverted. Agra-Nizamuddin Intercity Express 4211 stands cancelled. Trains are moving on Delhi to Agra route after upline was restored. The injured have been shifted to Mathura and Vrindavan hospitals. Police say the Army may have to be called in for rescue operations. Railway minister Mamata Banerjee has ordered an inquiry into the mishap.