In Maharashtra’s Jalgaon district on Wednesday night, a train traveling in the opposite way ran over at least 13 passengers of the Mumbai-bound Pushpak Express who had disembarked following an alarm chain-pulling incident. Four of the ten other passengers were critically hurt.
According to Jalgaon Guardian Minister Gulabrao Patil, the passengers, who were primarily from the general compartment, got out of the train after becoming alarmed by a rumor that it had taken fire.
“There was a chain-pulling incident that caused the train to come to an abrupt halt when the emergency brakes were applied. The friction from the brakes caused sparks to fly from the tracks. Passengers in the general compartment, fearing the train had caught fire, jumped from both exits. The Karnataka Express, traveling at over 130 kmph from the opposite side on the adjacent tracks, ran over these passengers, resulting in the tragic loss of lives,” Patil said. The Railways confirmed there was no fire.
Confirming the deaths, Dr Swapnil Nila, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of Central Railways, said, “Amidst a chain pulling incident on the Pushpak Express, several passengers got off the train and were tragically struck by the passing Karnataka Express…The exact cause of the alarm chain-pulling is still being investigated.” Nine males and three women were among the deceased, according to Jalgaon District Collector Ayush Prasad. Three of them were citizens of Nepal. According to Prasad, six bodies have been identified thus far, including those of Nepali nationals. Four of the ten injured, he claimed, were in critical condition.
According to officials, the incident happened close to Pachora, between Maheji and Pardhane stations, at approximately 5:00 p.m. A curve in the rails, according to a senior Railway official, severely reduced vision at the scene, making it impossible for the passengers and the train driver to see one another in time to prevent the disaster. The Karnataka Express driver noted that the Pushpak Express driver had turned on the flasher lights in accordance with protocol, but was unable to apply the brakes in time because of the curve of the rails.
“The driver of the Pushpak Express activated the flasher lights after stopping, as required. The Karnataka Express driver saw the lights and applied brakes. However, the two-degree curvature near the site obstructed visibility and reduced the braking distance. This curve also hindered passengers from seeing the approaching train. Despite the pilots’ best efforts, the collision could not be avoided,” the official said. The Karnataka Express ran between Bengaluru and New Delhi, while the Pushpak Express was traveling from Lucknow to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the deaths and wished speedy recovery to the injured. In a post on X, the Prime Minister’s Office quoted him as saying, “Anguished by the tragic accident on the railway tracks in Jalgaon, Maharashtra. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and pray for the speedy recovery of all the injured. Authorities are providing all possible assistance to those affected.”
Ex gratia of Rs 1.5 lakh for the deceased, Rs 50,000 for severe injuries, and Rs 5,000 for minor injuries were announced by the Railway Ministry, which also demanded an investigation into the incident.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw offered his sympathies to the relatives of the deceased and asked the Railway Board Chairman and other officials for all the information they could on the event. He also instructed that the injured people be treated properly.
Devendra Fadnavis, the chief minister of Maharashtra, promised Rs 5 lakh in financial aid for the victims’ families. Additionally, the state government will pay for all of the injured people’s medical bills.
Jalgaon District Collector Prasad said most of the passengers were from Uttar Pradesh. “The Pushpak Express was coming from Lucknow and was going to Mumbai. Most of the passengers were from Uttar Pradesh and were in the unreserved general compartment.”
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath extended condolences to the families of those who died. “Arrangements for ambulances to be sent to the spot have been made in coordination with the local administration authorities. An Accident Relief Train has been dispatched from Bhusaval, and Central Railways is making all efforts to provide medical aid to the injured passengers,” CPRO Nila said.
Fadnavis said state minister Girish Mahajan and the SP were at the site. “The district administration, in close coordination with the railway authorities, is ensuring swift action for ensuring treatment of the injured persons. Eight ambulances were dispatched. General Hospital and nearby private hospitals (are) on standby. Emergency tools like glass cutters and floodlights are kept ready,” he said in a post on X. “We are closely monitoring the situation, and all necessary assistance and help is being provided without delay. I am in constant touch with the district administration.”
