Eight IAF aircraft in railway rescue operations
July 11th, 2011 - 10:22 pm ICT by IANSNew Delhi, July 11 (IANS) The Indian Air Force (IAF) deployed eight aircraft — including one IL-76 heavy airlifter, two Avros, one Embraer, two MI-17s and two Chetak helicopters — for rescue and relief operations following the derailment of the Kalka Mail in Uttar Pradesh’s Fatehpur district in which 69 people were killed.
According an official statement Monday, the Indian Army and the IAF swiftly pressed its men and machinery into action soon after being informed by the Indian Railways about the accident Sunday in which 14 coaches of the train were badly mangled and passengers were trapped inside.
“Seven lives were saved including, that of one woman, and a Swedish national. More than 150-200 injured passengers were treated by army medical teams and 72 bodies of passengers were removed from the mangled mass of steel,” the statement said. The additional district magistrate of the area has, however, placed the death toll at 69.
The rescue and relief by the Indian Army was still on till late Monday.
The IAF airlifted nearly 150 National Disaster Relief Force personnel, five tonnes of relief material, officials of the Indian Railways and railway ministry to the accident site.
Critically injured passengers requiring immediate hospitalisation were moved to military hospital at Chakeri, Kanpur, the statement said.
The Indian Army moved medical teams, one engineering column led by Major S. Swain and equipment required for such a massive relief to the accident site.
A total of 10 officers, 13 JCOs, and 160 other ranks were deployed under the overall command and control of Brigadier A.S. Rawat.
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