WATCH: Coaches of Ahmedabad-Puri Express train covers 10 km without engine; 7 officials suspended

Odisha : A total of seven railway staff members have been suspended from their duties after a train in Odisha covered nearly 10 kms without engine, putting life of passengers in danger.

22 coaches of Ahmedabad-Puri Express with passengers on board rolled on railway track for nearly 10 kms before railway employees managed to halt coaches with the help of stones placed on the railway tracks.

All passengers were rescued to safety, but official related to it have been suspended with an enquiry ordered in the matter.

The coaches travelled from Titlagarh station, around 380 kilometres from Odisha's capital Bhubaneswar, towards Kesinga in Kalahandi district after the engine was detached to be attached at the other end of the train.

Reason behind accident:

The Railway official said that the coaches rolled because the skid-brake was not applied by the staff. "When engine is detached to be attached at the other end, coaches should be secured with skids at the wheels. In this case, it appears that skids were not placed properly. Facts will be known after detailed enquiry," an East Coast Railway spokesman said.

Soon after stopping the coaches, an engine was sent to bring them back on station.