Accident

Agra/New Delhi: At least 13 people were killed when two Delhi-bound passenger trains collided early today in Uttar Pradesh's Mathura city. Hours after the Goa Express rammed into the stationary Mewar Express, several people continued to be trapped in the mangled carriages. More than 20 people were injured in the accident that occurred around 5 a.m. at an outer signal, about 55 km from here.

"Thirteen have been killed and 20 injured in the accident. The injured have been taken to four hospitals in Mathura," said Anil Saxena, director, public relations office, in the ministry of railways in New Delhi.

"The damaged portion of both the trains are still at the site. The rear portion of the Goa Express and the front portion of the Mewar Express have left the site around 8 a.m. with the remaining passengers," Saxena told media.

The Mewar Express, in which some people from the Goa Express had been accommodated, had been stopped at nearby Vrindavan. Some buses have also been arranged to take the passengers to Delhi, about 150 km away.

"Work is progressing at a fast pace and the situation should normalise within a few hours," public relations officer Bhupendra Dhillon at the divisional railway manager's (DRM) office here told media.

Railway traffic on the busy Delhi-South and Delhi-West has been affected as a result of the accident. Several trains have been diverted and the Intercity Express from Agra to Hazrat Nizamuddin has been cancelled. Further, Taj Expres and the Shatabdi from Delhi are likely to be delayed, the official added.

Senior railway officials, including divisional railway manager (north central zone) R.M. Tripathi have reached the site to monitor rescue and relief operations. (IANS)