Kolkata-Sairang Express derails in Assam: A look at other recent train accidents

Explained

The Kolkata-Sairang Express derailed in Assam on Wednesday morning, 11 November, according to several publishers. Zee News and Hindustan Times placed the accident at Digaru railway station. The Statesman described the location as near Guwahati. Hindustan Times reported that rescue operations were under way.

What happened

Deccan Chronicle reported that Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said earlier in the day that four people had suffered minor injuries. It said five coaches and the engine had come off the tracks. Hindustan Times, citing Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, chief public relations officer of Northeast Frontier Railway, said there was no report of any casualties so far. Zee News also said no casualties had been reported.

The Statesman described a morning journey that turned frightening for passengers after six coaches derailed, and said several passengers were injured. Deccan Chronicle's headline said more than 300 passengers from Bengal were on board.

Where reports differ

The accounts do not agree on several basic details. The number of derailed coaches is given as five in Deccan Chronicle and as six in The Statesman and Hindustan Times. On injuries, the railway's spokesperson, as quoted by Hindustan Times, reported no casualties, while the Chief Minister, as cited by Deccan Chronicle, spoke of four minor injuries, and The Statesman referred to several injured passengers. The direction of travel also varies. Indian Express described the train as Mizoram-bound, while The Statesman described a journey from Mizoram to Kolkata.

The Hindu, in a separate piece, said the incident had renewed attention on rail safety and the safeguards meant to prevent major accidents, and it placed the event alongside other recent train accidents. The details of those earlier incidents are not included in the reports available here.

What we don't know yet

The reports do not yet establish the cause of the derailment, and none of the sources provided names one. It is also unclear how many people were hurt and how seriously, since the figures given so far conflict. The reports do not say when services on the route might resume or how passengers were moved after the accident. Readers should treat the casualty and coach counts as provisional until the railway or state authorities issue a consolidated account.

Written by the 91News.in desk with AI assistance, based on reports from The Hindu, Indian Express, Zee News, Deccan Chronicle, The Statesman, Hindustan Times. Updated 11 Nov 2026, 5:05 pm. Spotted an error? Tell us.