Thursday, April 21 2005 14:36 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Government today (Apr 21, 2005) informed Lok Sabha that at least 12 people were killed and over 100 injured when Sabarmati Express collided with a stationary goods train on Godhra-Vadodara section in Gujarat in the wee hours.

"In this accident, the engine and eight coaches of Sabarmati Express derailed and seven coaches capsized. The injured have been admitted to Sayaji Rao Hospital in Vadodara and other nearby hospitals," Minister of State for Railways R Velu said in a statement in the House.

Commissioner of Railway Safety (Western Circle) will be enquiring into the accident, he said.

Stranded passengers have been cleared from the accident site by a special train and medical relief vans have rushed to the spot, Velu said, adding that Railway Minister Laloo Prasad and his Minister of State Narainbhai Rathwa have also reached there.

He assured the House that "strict action" would be taken against those found guilty.

Earlier, the House expressed deep sorrow over the rail accident with Speaker Somnath Chatterjee conveying deep sense of shock of the House to members of bereaved families.

The House observed a minute's silence as a mark of respect in memory of those who died in the accident.

Immediately after this, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader V K Malhotra demanded a suo motu statement from the Railway Minister.

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