Managalore Express derails

Thiruvananthapuram: Thiruvananthapuram- Mangalore Express which left Thiruvananthapuram  at 20.40 hrs last night derailed near Karukutty near Aluva around 1.45 am.

As many as 12 coaches have been derailed, but no casualty has been reported. A few passengers suffered minor injuries.

Sources said that a major accident has been averted as no other train was coming in the opposite direction—the bogies had moved over the nearby railway line and are lying in a precarious condition.

Train services cancelled
Train services to Thrissur are likely to be delayed by ten hours while those coming to Thissur are likely to be delayed by five hours. Guruvayoor – Thiruvananthapuram Intercity Express stands cancelled. The Jan Sadabdhi, Venad Expresses leaving Thiruvananthapuram will terminate services in Ernakulam. The Egmore-Guruvayoor  and Amritha/Nilambur Express are also being terminated in Ernakulam.

Two special trains will be operated between Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram. Seven buses have been pressed into service to take passengers from Karukutty to Ernakulam.

The following help lines will be available for enquiries about the accident: Thrissur-0487 2429241, Ernakulam-0484 2100317, Thiruvananthapuram- 0471 1072, 138 and 04712320012.

Update:
Official sources said that the derailment might have occurred on account of  crack on the rail or problem with bogie. The Railways has ordered an enquiry into the incident by an official committee.