Bhopal: At least 31 people were killed and more than 70 injured in Madhya Pradesh's Harda district overnight when the Varanasi-bound Kamayani Express and Mumbai-bound Janata Express trains derailed and fell into the Kali Machak river, authorities said on Wednesday.

The Kamayani Express was travelling through the Khirkiya railway station in Harda district late Tuesday when four bogies of the train got derailed from the track and landed into the river.

The Janata Express, on its way from Patna to Mumbai, too, got derailed and a couple of bogies fell into the Kali Machak river.

Rescue operations are underway and the toll is likely to rise, authorities added.

I.B. Siddiqui, a spokesperson for West Central Railway, said that six bogies of the Kamayani and Janata Express derailed from the their tracks and fell into the river.

The cause of the accident has not been ascertained. However, according to sources, the material beneath the bridge running over the Kali Machak river caved in.

(IANS)