The derailed Durg-Puri Intercity Express. Telegraph picture

Balangir, Feb. 14: The 18426 Durg-Puri Intercity Express escaped a major accident last night when 10 coaches of the train got derailed at Tenganabasa between Nuapada and Lakhana railway stations in the Raipur-Titilagarh section.

At least 10 passengers sustained injuries in the train’s derailment. Train services in the route have been badly affected with four trains being diverted and one cancelled. Senior officials of the East Coast Railway have rushed to the spot to take stock of the situation.

A special train from Titilagarh reached the spot last night to rescue the stranded passengers from the derailed coaches and help them reach their destination.

The 10 injured passengers were admitted to district headquarters hospital in Nuapada and were later discharged.

The accident occurred after the train left Nuapada Road railway station at 8.30pm yesterday. The train’s magnetic joint between the air-conditioned and the sleeper coaches allegedly malfunctioned, resulting in the derailment. While the train’s engine and two air-conditioned coaches went ahead leaving behind other coaches, 10 jumped the track.

However, the passengers said the train had escaped a major accident as there was guard wall at the spot of derailment. Prasanna Rana of Titilagarh, who was travelling by the train, said there was a huge explosion like sound and the bogey began to shake.

Public relations officer of Sambalpur railway division of the East Coast Railway Nihar Ranjan Mishra said railway service in the Raipur-Titilagarh section had been affected because of the incident.