Dhanbad, Dec. 28 -- Rail services on the busy Howrah-Patna-New Delhi main line were severely disrupted after eight wagons of a cement-laden freight train derailed late Saturday night between Lahaban and Simultala stations, the Railways stated on Sunday.

According to an official press release, the derailment occurred at around 11.25 pm on December 27 near km 344/05. As a result, both up and down lines on the section were blocked, bringing rail movement to a halt. "Several wagons reportedly fell off a bridge near Telwa Bazar halt, with some plunging into the river below and others remaining scattered on the tracks," the release stated.

Chief public relations officer (CPRO) Saraswati Chandra said that accident relief trains (ARTs) from Asa...