India, May 28 -- A preliminary inquiry report by a Central Railway investigation committee has concluded that an excessive gap in the guard rails near a diamond crossing in the Pune railway yard led to the derailment of the Vande Bharat Express at Pune station on April 27.

The report has attributed the incident to an engineering error during maintenance work carried out under a railway block. Officials said action is likely to be initiated against those found responsible after the final report is submitted.

"The preliminary report on the Vande Bharat Express derailment has been received. It states that the accident occurred due to an error on the part of the engineering department. However, the final inquiry report is yet to be received...