Several injured after six coaches of Kolkata–Sairang Express derail in Assam's Digaru, no casualties reported

Six coaches of the Kolkata–Sairang Express derailed in Digaru, near Guwahati, leaving several passengers injured. The train was travelling from Mizoram to Kolkata when the accident happened. According to preliminary information, the locomotive and five coaches also derailed. Several passengers sustained injuries, with some feared to be seriously hurt. Speaking to news agency ANI, Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, CPRO of Northeast Frontier Railway, confirmed that the accident occurred at 6.45 am and there were no reports of any casualties.

"At around 06:54 hrs on 11.11.2026, while Train No. 13125 Kolkata-Sairang Express was being received at Digaru Railway Station in Assam to give precedence to another train, the Loco Pilot could not control the speed, resulting in an unfortunate incident of derailment, in which the locomotive along with 5 coaches derailed," Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, CPRO of Northeast Frontier Railway, told news agency ANI.

According to preliminary information from Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) officials, the accident occurred at around 6:54 am. Initial reports had placed the incident at approximately 7:10 am. The train was returning to Kolkata from Sairang in Mizoram when the derailment occurred. According to railway sources, the Kolkata–Sairang Express had been signalled to enter a loop line near Digaru after a train travelling behind it was allowed to pass. However, preliminary findings suggest that the locomotive pilot failed to reduce the train's speed sufficiently while entering the loop line. The locomotive reportedly overturned and fell towards the adjacent track, with the train's coaches subsequently derailing and sustaining significant damage.

Railway sources have suggested that the train was not travelling at an unusually high speed. However, investigators are examining whether it was travelling above the prescribed speed limit for entering the loop line. The Guwahati–Jorhat Jan Shatabdi Express was reportedly travelling immediately behind the Kolkata–Sairang Express. Following the accident, the Jan Shatabdi remained stationed at Panbari railway station.

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The preliminary findings have raised questions over why the locomotive pilot failed to reduce speed while entering the loop line, whether there was a delay in changing tracks and whether fog or poor visibility affected the driver's ability to respond to signals. Investigators are also expected to examine the signalling sequence and the role of railway personnel involved in authorising the track change. These aspects are yet to be conclusively established.

According to preliminary casualty figures attributed to railway officials, no fatalities have been reported. Eleven passengers have sustained serious injuries, while approximately 60 others suffered minor injuries. The injured were rescued and shifted to four local hospitals for treatment. An Accident Relief Special train was also dispatched to the site, while senior railway officials reached the location to oversee rescue and restoration operations. The use of modern Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) coaches in the Sairang Express is believed to have helped prevent a more serious disaster, although the circumstances surrounding the derailment remain under investigation.

Meanwhile, Eastern Railway has opened aMay I Help You booth at Sealdah stationfor passengers and their families seeking information.

Helpline numbers at Sealdah (SDAH):

Railway helpline: 033-23833326

BSNL/P&T helpline: 033-23509643