Two express trains derailed within minutes of each other on flooded tracks while crossing a railway bridge in Harda district in Madhya Pradesh in the dead of night and plunged into the swollen Machak river with the death toll over 30.

The accident occurred between Khirkiya and Bhirangi stations on Khandwa-Irasi sections, 160 km from Bhopal.

About 25 passengers were injured in the mishaps. Over 250 passengers have been rescued, a railway official said.

“The prima facie cause of the incident is stated to be ‘flash flood due to heavy rains’,” Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu told the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

The Railway Ministry has ordered an inquiry into the twin derailment and announced an enhanced ex-gratia of Rs two lakh each to the next of the kin of deceased.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed distress and pain over the loss of lives in the accidents and said authorities are doing everything possible on the ground.

“Twenty nine bodies, including those of 13 men, 11 women and five children, have been recovered so far from the mishap site between Khirkiya and Harda, about 160 km from Bhopal,” MP government spokesman Anupam Rajan said, adding that the toll could further go up.

According to Central Railway PRO, seven coaches of Kamayani Express and three bogies plus the engine of the Rajendra Nagar(Patna)-Mumbai Janata Express had derailed.

Making a suo motu statement on the incident in Parliament, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said “track washout” due to a swollen Machak river led to the derailment.

Commissioner Railway Safety (central zone) will conduct an inquiry into the accidents, Railway Spokesperson Anil Saxena said.

The official said just eight minutes before the accident, two trains had crossed that section and their drivers did not detect any problem.

Railways Helpline numbers:

Harda Helpline number: 09752460088

Bhopal Helpline number: 07554061609

Bina Helpline number: 075802222

Itarsi Helpline number: 0758422419200

Varanasi Helpline number: 05422503814