In a tragic incident, at least 13 people have been reportedly killed, and 15 have been reported injured in Maharashtra’s Jalgaon after Passengers who jumped off from Pushpak Express were hit by another train.
Reports suggest that on Wednesday evening, a rumour of smoke and fire in the Mumbai-bound Pushpak Express train led to a chain-pulling incident.
The chain pulling led to panic, and Passengers rushed to deboard.
Some passengers jumped off the train after an alarm chain-pulling incident.
These passengers collided with the Karnataka Express heading from Bengaluru to Delhi on the adjacent tracks.
According to a report by Midday, the driver of the speeding Karnataka Express, which was approaching on the adjacent track, continuously whistled to warn passengers. However, due to the curvature, the flasher light was visible too late.
“Despite applying emergency brakes, the train ran over several passengers.” The two-degree curvature not only obstructed the visibility of the loco pilots but also made it difficult for passengers to spot the oncoming train. “Loco pilots tried their best to avoid the incident,” A senior railway official was quoted saying by Midday.
“Of the 13, we have identified eight bodies so far, including two from their Aadhaar cards,” special Inspector General of Police Dattatraya Karale was quoted by news agency PTI.
“The eight identified deceased include four hailing from Nepal, Jalgaon district information officer,” Yuvraj Patil was quoted by the Hindustan Times.
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis has announced an Ex gratia amount of ₹5 lakh each to families of the deceased. Besides, the Railway Board separately announced an ex-gratia of ₹1.5 lakh each to the kin of the deceased, ₹50,000 for grievous wounds and ₹5,000 for simple injuries.
The official x account of the PM’s office posted: “I am 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.”
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: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 22, 2025
DCM Ajit Pawar, speaking on the incident in a media interaction, said: “After the railway incident, the administration and other forces got active and started the relief & rescue operations… Udhal Kumar and Vijay Kumar from Shravasti were on the train… They were travelling in the general bogie and were sitting on the upper berth… One tea seller from the pantry shouted about a fire in the bogie; both of them heard that and panicked…”
The DCM said Udhal Kumar and Vijay Kumar, who are injured and are under treatment, had spread the rumour.
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