At least eight coaches of the Meerut-Lucknow Rajya Rani Express derailed on Saturday morning in Uttar Pradesh.

The train derailed between Rampur and Mundapana, near a bridge over the Koshi River.

No casualties have been reported so far.

Railways minister Suresh Prabhu tweets: “Personally monitoring the situation. Directed senior officers to rush to the spot.Ensure speedy relief and rescue operations,” adding that an enquiry has been ordered into the incident and strict action will be taken against defaulters, if any.

A rescue train has been arranged for the passengers and fortunately no major injuries have been reported yet, said Neeraj Sharma, CPRO, Northern Railways.

-Trains delayed due to the derailment.

-Ministry of railways, says no casualties reported.

-At least 10 people were sustained minor injuries in the accident.

-No casualties have been reported so far. A few injured passengers have been admitted to the nearby district hospital.

The accident is the latest string of similar incidents the public transporter has suffered in recent months. The Indian government faces challengers in turning around the colonial-era rail network that carries more than 23 million passengers every single day.

In November last year, at least 142 people were killed and more than 200 were injured, when 14 coaches of the Indore-Patna Express derailed in Dehat, Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh.

In January, at least 32 died and more than 50 were injured, when Bhubaneswar Express derailed in Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh.

Last month, nearly 50 were injured, when eight coaches of the Jabalpur-Nizamuddin Mahakaushal Express derailed in Mahoba, Uttar Pradesh.

Most of these accidents were attributed to lack of maintenance and poor infrastructure.

24,000 Indians still in war-torn countries

AMandeep