The derailment is the latest such accident in recent weeks that has raised concerns about the safety of the aging rail network.

The train derailed near Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh state early in the morning, according to the railway ministry.

"The Sealdah-Ajmer express train which was travelling to Ajmer got derailed. It looks like a lot of damage has been caused. So far 28 people have been injured and they are in the hospital while two persons are dead," said Kanpur Inspector General, Zaki Ahmed.

Following the derailment, several trains have been diverted.

The Indian Railways has also issued helpline numbers in the wake of the incident.

Railway Minister, Suresh Prabhu, said he was personally monitoring the situation, adding that he had directed the senior officials to reach the site immediately.

"Immediate medical help being provided to the injured. Mobilized resources, directed all concerned to ensure rescue and relief. Thorough investigation will be carried out to ascertain the cause," Prabhu said in a tweet.

India's creaking railway system is the world's fourth largest. It runs 11,000 trains a day, including 7,000 passenger trains carrying more than 20 million people.

But it has a poor safety record, with thousands of people dying in accidents every year, including in train derailments and collisions.


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