HOSUR (TIP): At least 10 passengers were feared killed when four coaches and the engine of the Bangalore-Ernakulam Intercity Express derailed at Belagondapalli near Anekal on the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu boarder on february 13 morning.

The Anekal police said 10 bodies have been recovered from the toppled coaches of the train and the toll was expected to go up as several passengers were still trapped in coaches.

They said more than 70 passengers were injured in the accident that happened around 8am.

The derailed coaches include two AC chair cars and two non-AC chair cars, railway sources said.

They said the cause of the derailment was yet to be ascertained.

Railway minister Suresh Prabhu said that he was personally monitoring the accident and is in touch with state and local administration.

“My colleague Sadanand Gowda is rushing to accident site. I have directed rail board chairman to evacuate all stranded passengers,” Suresh Prabhu tweeted on Friday.

“I express my condolences to all the unfortunate members of the families who lost lives. I have directed officials to provide best possible medical care to the injured,” Suresh Prabhu added.

Ambulances from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka were rushed to accident spot.

Anil Saxena, spokesperson, Indian Railways said, “A boulder hitting is suspected that have caused the train accident. Our officers are on the spot and they are looking to the matter. The accidental relief train has been dispatched. We will not be able to confirm the number of casualties as of now.”

A passenger in coach number D10 Cherian travelling from Bangalore to Ernakulam said, “The train started at 6.30 am from Bangalore city and at 7.30 am we realised that the bogies were tilting towards the right. I fell off the berth. Most people were sleeping. By the time we escaped out, coach number D8 toppled over D9 and maximum casualties happened in D8. Police and ambulance reached after half hour or else we could saved more lives. About 11 coaches were derailed.”