14 February,2009 11:48 AM IST | | PTI
A day after the Railway's put the death toll in the Howrah-Chennai Coromandel Express accident at 16, Minister of State for Railways R Velu on Saturday said nine persons were killed in the mishap.
"Nine bodies have been recovered from the site. A higher death toll was anticipated earlier on the basis of preliminary assessment," Velu told reporters here on a visit to the accident site near here.
He said only 45 of the injured passengers were admitted to different hospitals where the condition of six was stated to be critical. Most of the injured were discharged after first aid, he said.
Earlier, railway officials put the toll at 16. The men and machinery of the Railways and other agencies were working on a war footing to clear the tracks to restore normal traffic on the important route within 48 hours, Velu said.
A high-level probe into the accident would be conducted by the Commissioner of Railway Safety and the report would be submitted within seven days, the minister said.
About possible reasons for the mishap, Velu said it could be technical, human error or any other factor.
"At this stage it is difficult to guess the exact cause. We are reviewing the entire matter."
Meanwhile, over 700 passengers were sent by a special relief train to Chennai from the accident site. Thirteen bogies of the express derailed last evening.
