Update: Bengaluru-Erankulam Inter-City Express derailed; Twelve Dead, 30 injured 

Bengalure: Eleven passengers including a child died and 30 were injured when the Bengaluru-Erankulam Inter-City Express derailed near Bengaluru early Friday, said Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.

Chandy, who spoke to Karnataka Home Minister KJ George, told reporters in Kochi (for which Ernakulam is the railhead), and said a Kerala delegation led by Electricity Minister Aryadan Mohammed has left for the accident site.

The deceased were identified as Sharmila (35) from RT Nagar, Bhaskar (28) from Sultanpallya, Selvaraj (58) of BTM Layout, Vamadevan (70) from Thrissur, Mohan (47) Kumnumkulm and Karmel (35) form Poland. Other names are awaited.

The Karnataka’s Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also addressed the reporters and expressed his concern over the incident. Meanwhile, the Karnataka health and family welfare minister U T Khader visited all the victims in the accident.

Bengaluru: Several people were injured as the Bangalore – Ernakulam Intercity Express derailed at Anakkal near Hosur around 45 kilometers from Bengaluru on Friday morning.

Though there is no official word on casualties, unconfirmed reports said at least four people were killed in the accident which happened around 7.45 in the morning and around 30 people are critical.

While ambulances from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have been rushed to the spot, officials are co-ordinating rescue operations, they said.

Rescue operations were delayed as the accident was at a remote place near the border of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Reports said the least six compartments were toppled and many people were trapped in the D6 coach. Most of the passengers in the train were Keralites.

A helpline number has been set up in Ernakulam. Nos: 0484_2100317, 8136997773, 9539336040