Kolkata-Sairang Express Derails at Digaru in Assam; Injury and Coach Counts Differ Across Reports

The Kolkata-Sairang Express (Train No. 13125) derailed at Digaru railway station in Kamrup (Metro) district, Assam, at about 6.54 am on Wednesday. Accounts differ on how many coaches left the tracks and how many people were hurt, and the cause has not been established.

What officials have said

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said in a social media post that five coaches and the engine derailed. He said four people had minor injuries and were being cared for, and that all passengers were safe. another report, carrying a a further report report, said the four were taken to the Sonapur Primary Health Centre. That detail appears in only one of the three reports.

A Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) spokesperson said all passengers were safe and no major injuries had been reported. In a statement carried by a further report, the spokesperson went further and said there were "no injuries to anyone". That is hard to square with the Chief Minister's figure of four.

Where the accounts conflict

a further report, quoting NFR Chief Public Relations Officer Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, reported six coaches derailed. The spokesperson quoted by a further report described the locomotive and five coaches. The reports do not resolve this.

On injuries, a further report said several passengers were reportedly hurt but the number was unclear, and that no casualties had been reported so far. a further report said eyewitnesses claimed several people were injured. This article does not treat any one figure as settled.

What the railway says happened

According to the spokesperson, the train was being received at Digaru station when the loco pilot gave precedence to another train but could not control the speed. This is a preliminary railway account, not a finding. NFR said an investigation would determine the cause.

another report reported that a video on social media appeared to show the loco driver handling equipment in the engine and purportedly saying none of it was working. a further report said it could not verify the video, so it should be treated as unconfirmed.

The pantry car manager told a report that the train slowed a little on arriving at Digaru and that a sound was heard as it crossed the platform. He said the engine derailed a few metres later and the train travelled about another kilometre before stopping, after roughly 10 minutes. This is one person's recollection.

Passenger support and rail disruption

The Chief Minister said stranded passengers were given basic necessities and an alternative train was arranged. The railway said a special train reached the site, and that passengers were given drinking water and food. A recovery train was sent to clear the tracks. One passenger told reporters that moving out was difficult because the space between compartments was cramped.

NFR General Manager Vivek Khare and other senior officials went to the site. Helplines were activated at Katihar, Kishanganj, New Jalpaiguri, Guwahati, Lumding, Badarpur and Silchar.

Other services were affected. The Guwahati-Jorhat Janshatabdi Express and the Coimbatore-Silchar Express were held at Panbari and Panikhaiti. The Alipurduar-Mariani Intercity Express was short-terminated at Kamakhya, and the Guwahati-Haibargaon DMU was cancelled. The spokesperson said normal operations on the section had been restored and regulated trains would resume gradually. The exact timing of full restoration has not been confirmed.

What remains unknown

• The exact number of derailed coaches (five or six).
• The exact number and severity of injuries.
• The cause, which is under investigation.
• Whether the driver's equipment claim in the video is true.

Questions answered

How many coaches derailed?

Reports differ. The Chief Minister and an NFR spokesperson cited the engine and five coaches, while a further report, quoting an NFR official, reported six coaches.

What caused the derailment?

It is not established. The railway's preliminary account says the loco pilot gave precedence to another train but could not control the speed, and an investigation will determine the cause.

Have train services resumed?

An NFR spokesperson said normal operations on the section were restored and regulated trains would resume gradually. Timing of full restoration is not confirmed.