A tragic incident occurred on Wednesday (January 22), when passengers aboard the Lucknow-Mumbai Pushpak Express were struck by a passing train after an alarm chain was pulled, leading them to alight onto the tracks.
The incident, which took place between Maheji and Pardhade stations in Maharashtra’s Jalgaon district, resulted in at least 12 fatalities and left several others injured, with some in critical condition.
Jalgaon District Collector Ayush Prasad has said that the incident occurred at approximately 4:40 PM in a high-speed zone for trains, The Print reported.
According to media reports, panic ensued when passengers spotted sparks and smoke inside the Pushpak Express, prompting them to pull the emergency chain.
Some passengers jumped off the train, only to be fatally struck by the Karnataka Express, traveling in the opposite direction at high speed. The Karnataka Express was en route from Bengaluru to Delhi.
A senior railway official, cited by PTI, confirmed that the incident was fuelled by rumours of a fire on board the Pushpak Express.
"Some panicked passengers pulled the chain, and some of them jumped down. At the same time, the Karnataka Express was passing," the official stated.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh for the families of the deceased. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, stating he was "anguished" by the tragic loss of lives.
Manoj Arora, Commissioner of Railway Safety for the central circle, announced that he would visit the accident site on Thursday morning to initiate an inquiry.
"We will invite passengers and other eye-witnesses. They can share their version about the accident," PTI quoted him as saying.
Swapnil Nila, Chief Public Relations Officer of Central Railway, reported that an accident relief train had been dispatched from Bhusawal, and ambulances were arranged with the help of local officials.
The incident, which took place between Maheji and Pardhade stations in Maharashtra’s Jalgaon district, resulted in at least 12 fatalities and left several others injured, with some in critical condition.
Jalgaon District Collector Ayush Prasad has said that the incident occurred at approximately 4:40 PM in a high-speed zone for trains, The Print reported.
According to media reports, panic ensued when passengers spotted sparks and smoke inside the Pushpak Express, prompting them to pull the emergency chain.
Some passengers jumped off the train, only to be fatally struck by the Karnataka Express, traveling in the opposite direction at high speed. The Karnataka Express was en route from Bengaluru to Delhi.
A senior railway official, cited by PTI, confirmed that the incident was fuelled by rumours of a fire on board the Pushpak Express.
"Some panicked passengers pulled the chain, and some of them jumped down. At the same time, the Karnataka Express was passing," the official stated.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh for the families of the deceased. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, stating he was "anguished" by the tragic loss of lives.
Manoj Arora, Commissioner of Railway Safety for the central circle, announced that he would visit the accident site on Thursday morning to initiate an inquiry.
"We will invite passengers and other eye-witnesses. They can share their version about the accident," PTI quoted him as saying.
Swapnil Nila, Chief Public Relations Officer of Central Railway, reported that an accident relief train had been dispatched from Bhusawal, and ambulances were arranged with the help of local officials.
Comments (0)
Leave a Comment