Bangalore: Seven passengers suffered minor injuries when 11 coaches of a Bangalore-bound train derailed near Vellore in Tamil Nadu in the early hours Friday, South Western Railway officials said.
The Kanyakumari-Bangalore Express derailed between Somanayakanpatti and Patchur at 4.15 am, but all the passengers are safe, according to a statement by the railways. The derailment is suspected to have occurred because of a rail fracture but the railway spokesperson said that the exact cause of the incident is yet to be ascertained, according to sources.
A medical relief van was dispatched from Bangalore, said the statement by the railways.
Seven passengers were given first aid for minor injuries and discharged.
The railways said passengers in the affected train were brought to Bangalore by seven buses and also by special train.
PK Saxena, the general manager, South Western Railway, Hubli, Sanjiv Agarwal, divisional railway manager, Bangalore division and other senior railway officers rushed to the spot to supervise rescue operations and restoration of track and train services.
The railways had announced complete or partial cancellation of about 15 services, including the Chennai-Bangalore double decker express.
Normal running of trains is expected to be restored by Saturday morning, according to railway officials. PTI