UP train mishap not due to emergency brakes: Railways

FATEHPUR: The Railways today said derailment of the Kalka Mail here two days ago which claimed 68 lives did not take place either due to emergency brakes being applied or because of a turning point.

"From the inquiry so far, it is clear that the accident did not take place either due to emergency breaks or turning point used to connect the tracks," General Manager of North Central Railway Harish Chandra Joshi told reporters.

The cause of the accident was a matter of detailed investigation and would be clear after a probe into the incident was conducted, he said.

The GM, who took stock of the relief and rescue work at the derailment site, said the inquiry into the derailment would be done by another department so that the real picture could come to the light.

At least 68 people were and 249 injured when 15 bogies of a speeding Delhi-bound Kalka Mail derailed near Malwan station here on Sunday afternoon.

According to preliminary investigations, the signals were functioning normally and the fish plates on the tracks were intact. The train was moving at about 108 kmph when the accident occurred.