While a rail ministry spokesperson said the death toll is being maintained at three and the number of those injured at nine, various media reports quoted local officials as saying the death toll could be as high as ten.
The train had left Bengaluru at 0615 hrs and derailed at 0735 hrs between Anekal Road and Hosur on Bangalore City-Salem Section, about 45 km from Bengaluru.
Rail Minister Suresh Prabhu tweeted at 9:52 am calling the accident unfortunate.
“Boulder fell on track in Ghat section, train hit it. Have directed all senior officers to rush with full help,” he said, adding he was on his way to Bangalore to visit the accident site and all possible help will be rendered to the families affected.
Prabhu has also ordered an inquiry to fix responsibility and for taking corrective action to prevent such unfortunate accidents. Law minister Sadananda Gowda and Railway Board Chairman A K Mittal were among the others who rushed to the spot.
Expressing grief over the mishap, Prabhu has announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased. While Rs 50,000 would be given to those severely injured, Rs 20,000 would be given to those who suffered simple injuries.
The untoward incident left several passengers trapped in the mangled coaches. The victims were rushed to nearby hospitals in ambulances arriving from Bangalore.
In October last year, 12 people were killed after two passenger trains collided in Uttar Pradesh. Before that, in May, 23 people died after a passenger train derailed and hit a stationary goods train also in Uttar Pradesh.
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