By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, August 19, 2017: At least 23 people were killed and over 400 injured after 14 coaches of the Utkal Express ran off the tracks in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday around 5.46 PM.

The accident took place in Khatauli in Muzaffarnagar, about 100 kilometres from New Delhi. The train was headed from Puri in Odisha to Haridwar in Uttarakhand. The train had left Puri at 9 pm on Friday night and was to terminate at Haridwar at 9 pm. One coach rammed into a house on the sides of the tracks and two coaches climbed over others.

All the injured have been shifted to hospital, Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu tweeted adding that rescue operations have been completed.

“Rescue operations have been completed. All injured shifted to hospital. Restoration work will start now. Still monitoring situation closely” – Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) August 19, 2017

Prabhu has ordered an inquiry into the accident. “Strict action will be taken against any lapse,” the minister tweeted.

The Railways has announced a compensation of Rs. 3.5 lakh for the family of those killed, Rs. 50,000 for those seriously injured and Rs. 25,000 for people with minor injuries.

A team of the anti-terror squad, Police, national and state rescue teams were rushed to the area to conduct a preliminary inquiry. Authorities, however, maintain there has been nothing yet to suggest foul play in the accident.

Heavyweight cranes and gas cutters were being used to lift or cut the mangled remains of the coaches and extricate passengers stuck inside.

Large number of local people and villagers were also seen helping out those engaged in the rescue work.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath spoke to principal secretary (Home) Arvind Kumar and the Muzaffarnagar district magistrate and directed them to ensure prompt rescue and relief operations at Khatauli.

Forty people, many women and children have been admitted to nearby medical hospitals for treatment. Cutters and cranes have been requisitioned to cut the mangled remains of the coaches and rescue people from inside.

Local residents of Khatauli town were the first ones to reach the passengers and pulled out the ones they could. A 40-year-old woman, one of the many rescued by residents, said she had occupied an upper berth. “There was a loud noise,” she said. The screams and cries for help followed. “I still can’t find my aunt,” the woman, in her late thirties said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted to express their condolences for the families of those killed.

“Railways Ministry & UP Government are doing everything possible & providing all assistance required in the wake of the train derailment: PM” – PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 19, 2017

Local administration officials reached the spot and rescue operations are underway, officials in Delhi said.

The accident took place in less than a year after the Indore-Patna Express derailed near Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh in November last year, leaving over 100 dead.