9 killed, 45 injured as Guwahati-Bikaner Express train derails in West Bengal

At least nine people were killed and more than 45 injured when 12 coaches of the Bikaner-Guwahati Express train derailed in West Bengal's Jalpaiguri district on Thursday.

Officials said that some of the injured are in critical condition and the death toll may go up.

While four bodies were recovered from the accident site, others died in hospital later. Rescuers searched each coach for survivors and bodies through darkness and thick fog.

There were over 1,000 passengers on board the train at the time of the derailment, officials said, adding those stranded were provided drinking water and snacks.

Also Watch: 'A loud sound & everything went blank': Survivors recount Bengal train accident horror

A train ferrying stranded passengers to Guwahati left the accident site at 9.30 pm.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the tragedy when they were in the middle of an online meeting to review the Covid situation in the country with other CMs.

PM Modi later tweeted that he spoke to Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and took stock of the situation. "My thoughts are with the bereaved families," the PM tweeted.

The Railways have announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of those killed in the accident, Rs 1 lakh to the grievously injured and Rs 25,000 for passengers with simple injury.