Two passengers were killed and 26 injured when fifteen coaches of the Ajmer-Sealdah Express (12987), derailed while crossing a bridge overhead a dry canal near Rura, Kanpur

Fifteen coaches of the Ajmer-Sealdah Express, Train number 12987, derailed near Rura, around 70 kilometres from Kanpur, on Wednesday, PTI reportd. It was initally reported that two people were dead and 26 were injured. Railways, however, later confirmed that no deaths have been reported and put the number of injured at 44.

Derailment of 12987 Ajmer-Sealdah Exp. at Rura station on Kanpur-Tundla section

No Death reported yet

Injuries reported 44. pic.twitter.com/roQ1fZ8m7X — Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) December 28, 2016

While Kanpur IG Zaki Ahmed told PTI that two people have been killed in the mishap, railways are yet to confirm the same.

Derailment of train no. 12987Sealdah-Ajmer Ex b/w Rura-Metha at about 5: 20 hrs,50 kms from Kanpur,ART & ARME arrived w/ Dy CTM Kanpur — Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) December 28, 2016

#SpotVisuals 15 coaches of Sealdah-Ajmer Express derailed between Rura-Metha near Kanpur. Rescue and relief ops underway pic.twitter.com/INlqV9MUXD — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 28, 2016

The Kanpur train accident took place when the train was crossing a bridge overhead a dry canal in the area, Northern Central Railways PRO Amit Malviya said. According to reports, rail traffic between Etawah and Kanpur is affected.

Speaking to ANI, Anil Saxena, ADG, PR Railway said, "No casualties have been reported so far. Ambulances are already on the spot and rescue work is in progress. A medical train from Kanpur has also arrived on the spot. All trains between Etawah and Kanpur are affected, and we are trying to divert them to an alternate route." Saxena also told ANI that:

As per preliminary reports 15 coaches of the train got derailed. The first 5 & last 3 coaches were intact. Anil Saxena, Indian Railways Spox — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 28, 2016

Ahmed told PTI that 13 sleeper coaches and two general coaches of the train derailed in the accident. The injured have been rushed to a nearby hospital. Rescue and relief operations have been started at the accident spot with the district health department dispatching 14 ambulances and relief teams from Kanpur and Tundla, he said.

Buses have also been plied to drop the stranded passengers from the spot to Kanpur railway station.

The Delhi-Howrah route via Kanpur has been temporarily closed and the Shatabdi express from Delhi to Kanpur has been cancelled, Malviya said.

As per local sources, a few of the bogies of the train also fell into a canal, travellers stuck in it were yet to be rescued soon till 8 am, Times Now said.

Meanwhile, railway minister Suresh Prabhu said has announced an ex-gratia to the injured, on Twitter. He said, "I have directed CRB, all senior officials to personally ensure best possible help," he tweeted, adding that a thorough investigation will be carried out to ascertain the cause. He also tweeted:

1/Personally monitoring the situation in wake of unfortunate derailment of Sealdah-Ajmer express near Kanpur — Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) December 28, 2016

2/Have directed senior officials to reach the site immediately — Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) December 28, 2016

3/Immediate medical help being provided to the injured. Mobilized resources,directed all concerned to ensure rescue and relief — Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) December 28, 2016

4/Thorough investigation will be carried out to ascertain the cause — Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) December 28, 2016

Injured already started getting medical care,Doctors r attending to all. We r working with hospitals& dist admin to offer all possible help — Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) December 28, 2016

We r making alternate arrangements for Passengers to continue with their onward journey and are thus taken care of Helplines to offer info — Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) December 28, 2016

The Indian railways has announced that four trains — 12826/Jharkhand Sampark Kranti Express, 12382/Poorva Express, 12312/Kalka Mail, 12488/Seemanchal Express — have been diverted.

#SpotVisuals 15 coaches of Sealdah-Ajmer Express derailed between Rura-Metha near Kanpur. Rescue and relief ops underway pic.twitter.com/INlqV9MUXD — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 28, 2016

The Railways have issued the helpline numbers for Kanpur — 0512-2323015, 2323016, 2323018 and for Allahabad — 0532-2408149, 2408128. However, the reason for the accident is not known as yet.

The Indian railway also released a list of passengers injured in the accident on Twitter:

Derailment of 12987 Sealdah-Ajmer Exp. at Rura station on Kanpur-Tundla

No Death reported,Injuries reported 44.list of injured following pic.twitter.com/UFaO8l0M5L — Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) December 28, 2016

More details awaited.

With inputs from PTI