50 feared killed when trains collide in estern India

08:35, 19 July 2010

NEW DELHI. July 19. KAZINFORM -- At least 50 people were feared killed and many others injured as a passenger train hit from behind a stationary passenger train at a railway station in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal early Monday morning, said police. Kazinform refers to Xinhua.

The Bhagalpur-Ranchi Vananchal Express train, which was stationary at the Sainthia station some 200 kilometers from the city of Kolkata, was hit from behind by the Sealdah-bound Uttarbanga Express, said police.

Local TV channel showed footage of rescuers trying to bring injured people from the wreckage. Rescue works began two hours after the collision took place at 02:00 a.m. local time, said the TV reports.

Indian Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee had rushed to the site of the incident, said the reports.

This is the second deadly trains accident in India since May 28, the day when a train derailed and was hit by a goods train also in West Bengal state. Some 150 people were killed in that accident.

The Indo-Asian News Service said the Vananchal Express was about to leave the station when the accident occurred.

The injured passengers were being sent to hospitals in Sainthia and Birbhum district headquarters Suri, said the news service. Kazinfom cites www.xinhuanet.com

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