Indore-Patna Express train was carrying passengers more than it could hold: Reports

The Indore-Patna Express which derailed on 20 November claiming lives of at least 121 people while injuring over 200 was reportedly carrying more passengers than its actual capacity.

According to sources close to Times of India, the railways who had claimed that the train had 1200 passengers on board was actually carrying much more than that.

The TOI report added that some of the passengers possessed unauthorised tickets while some of the passengers were even traveling without a valid ticket.

"The number of such people could have been even around 500 which is almost half the capacity of the train," TOI quoted a railway official who did not wish to be named.

A number of names of the passenger names have emerged who were traveling with invalid ticket and are now missing, making it difficult for their kin to trace them.

At least 133 people were killed and 200 others were injured on 20 November after 14 coaches of the Patna-Indore Express derailed near Pukharayam in Kanpur district of Uttar Pradesh.

Also Read: Indore-Patna Express train tragedy: Death toll mounts to 133 with nearly 200 injured

A special train with survivors of the tragic incident reached Patna early this morning. 14 coaches of the Patna-Indore Express derailed near Pukharayam in Kanpur district of Uttar Pradesh on 20 November. Rescue operations were on for more than 14 hours. Several passengers are still feared trapped under the debris of the damaged coaches. Initial reports suggest that fractured rail tracks could be the possible cause of the accident.

Following the tragic Patna-Indore Express derailment, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav announced on 20 November that an ex-gratia amount of Rs 5 lakh would be awarded to the families of the deceased.

Read More: Indore-Patna Express derailment caused by fractured track, says MoS Railways

Also Read: Patna-Indore train tragedy: PM Modi, Rajnath Singh express grief