Kolkata: The toll in the Mumbai-bound Gyaneshwari Express derailment rose to over 148 today as more bodies were pulled out from the wreckage of the mangled coaches.
(See Pics)
Rescue work was halted at the site during the night because of rain, even as rescuers feared more bodies might be trapped under the S-6 coach which was one of the worst hit coaches.
Around 190 injured people are being treated in different hospitals in Midnapore, Kharagpur, Jhargram and in Kolkata. DNA tests will be conducted on unidentified bodies.
The horrific incident occurred at 1:30 am on Friday when the train was running between Khemasoli and Sardiya stations, about 135 km from Kolkata.
The Bengal police last night gave out details of the rail attack saying it was a maoist attack. Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee and the her bitter rivals the CPM led government got into a no-holds bar fight on Saturday on who was to blame for the attack.
Initially it was not clear how a section of the tracks went missing leading to the derailment. While Home Minister P Chidambaram said it's act of sabotage and no explosive material was found at the site, Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee said the Maoists triggered a blast.(
Watch:Train mishap: Blast or sabotage? |
Top UPA Ministers divided?)