India train accident kills at least 31 in Uttar Pradesh

A passenger train has derailed in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, killing at least 22 people.

The engine and two carriages of the Janta Express, which travels between Dehradun and Varanasi, went off the rails near Bachhrawan village. Dozens of people were also injured in the accident.

Villagers, Police and Railway Guards are trying to rescue passengers trapped in the carriages.  Images from the scene show mangled carriages lying beside the track.

The State's Junior Railway Minister, Manoj Sinha, said an inquiry has been ordered to find out what caused the accident.

One of the coaches was completely crushed in the accident. India's railway network operates 12 thousand passenger trains and carries some 23 million passengers every day.

BBC