Two Foreign Nationals Die As Toy Train Derails In Himachal Pradesh

12 September, Shimla

Two foreign nationals were killed and four others sustained injuries when a chartered special train carrying tourists from Kalka to Shimla derailed at Taksal near Parwanoo in Solan district of Himachal Pradesh, about 96 km from Shimla Saturday .

Chief Public Relation Officer (CPRO) of Northern Railways, Neeraj Sharma said, “A four-coach of a chartered toy train carrying 37 foreign tourists derailed near Taksal station some 3 km from Kalka in Himachal Pradesh at around 1300 hrs today. The last three coaches derailed killing two passengers”.

The incident happened just 10 minutes after starting from Kalka station, he said.

“The injured have been shifted to PGI Chandigarh. Member (Engineering) VK Gupta and General Manager Northern Railway AK Puthia are rushing to the site to take stock of the situation,” Mr Sharma said.

DRM of Ambala was at the spot and inspecting the relief and rescue operation,” Mr Sharma said.

The cause of the accident could only be ascertained after a probe, he added.

Himachal Pradesh Police said the derailment occurred after the train covered about three km distance after departing from Kalka railway station at 1300 hrs.

Railway Police Force (RPF) Sub inspector Jaspal confirmed the deaths of two foreign nationals.