India: High-speed trains collide, 14 dead, 45 injured

A train driver's mistake caused two high-speed trains to collide near the city of Gorakhpur, India, killing at least 14 people.

PTI reported that on October 1, Indian Railway Minister DV Sadananda Gowda confirmed that at least 14 people were killed and 45 injured in a collision between two high-speed trains near the city of Gorakhpur, India on the night of September 30.

Scene of high-speed train accident in India (Photo Zee Media)

“My deepest condolences to the families of the 14 innocent people who lost their lives,” Mr Gowda said on Twitter.

“The accident was caused by the train driver who ignored the warning signal. The train driver has been suspended and will be severely punished for his negligence,” Mr Gowda added.

The Krishak Express train travelling from Varanasi to Gorakhpur collided with another express train, the Barauni Express, travelling from Lucknow to Barauni at a location 7 km from Gorakhpur at around 11 pm (local time).

Three drivers of the Barauni Express were thrown off the tracks after the collision, said Railway Public Relations Officer Alok Singh.

Railway officials immediately rushed to the scene of the accident to direct the rescue work. The injured were taken to a nearby hospital.

Railway Ministry spokesman Anil Saxena said the Indian Railway Safety Board is investigating to determine the cause of the accident.

Trains running from Gorakhpur to Varanasi were disrupted after the collision and were diverted to other routes./.

According to VOV