Train driver heard explosion, felt vibrations
By IANSFriday, May 28, 2010
JHARGRAM - The driver of Gyaneshwari Express heard an explosion and then felt vibrations before the Mumbai-bound passenger train derailed near here Friday, killing at least 65 people, says a top police officer.
“As per the driver, when the train was passing, he heard the sound of an explosion. Then he also felt some vibrations. And thereafter the train derailed,” West Bengal Director General of Police Bhupinder Singh told newspersons after visiting the accident site in West Midnapore district.
The engine and 13 coaches of the Howrah-Kurla Gyaneshwari Express derailed at 1.30 a.m. A goods train then smashed into the coaches.
At least 65 people were killed and over 200 injured in the accident, which occurred after suspected Maoists removed 1.5 ft of the track and fishplates. Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee has said the derailment was caused by a bomb blast.
