At least 12 lives were lost and many injured in a harrowing incident on Wednesday in India when passengers disembarked from a train amid fears of a fire and were subsequently hit by another train.
Tragic Train Accident in India Leaves Twelve Dead
Tragic Train Accident in India Leaves Twelve Dead
Dozens injured as passengers flee train amid fire panic, only to be struck by another train.
The tragedy unfolded around 5 p.m. in Maharashtra State, approximately 170 miles northeast of Mumbai. Passengers on the Pushpak Express, en route from Lucknow to Mumbai, panicked after rumors of a fire circulated onboard. Under the impression that they were in imminent danger, many quickly exited the train once it came to a standstill. Unfortunately, as they attempted to cross the tracks, they were struck by the passing Karnataka Express on an adjacent line.
Authorities reported that 12 individuals lost their lives, with 11 others sustaining injuries in the chaos of the incident. Ashok Pawar, a police inspector from the Pachora police station, revealed that the Pushpak Express was heavily occupied, consisting mainly of migrant workers traveling for job opportunities.
Police Superintendent Maheswar Reddy assured the public that an investigation would be launched to determine if there was a genuine fire or if the alarm was falsely instigated by someone malicious. Eleven victims’ identities were confirmed, with seven victims hailing from Nepal and four from the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, with one body yet to be identified.
Maharashtra's top official, Devendra Fadnavis, confirmed that eight ambulances were sent to the location of the accident. Furthermore, the state government pledged to provide financial assistance to the families of those lost and cover medical expenses for the injured.
This tragic event raises further concerns about the safety of railway travel in India, a country where millions rely on its expansive but often dangerous rail network. Despite substantial government investments in safety measures, incidents remain frequent. A notorious railway accident in Odisha in 2023 resulted in a staggering 290 casualties, while another crash last June left eight dead after a freight train collided with a derailed passenger train in Tripura. Authorities face mounting pressure to improve safety protocols and prevent further tragedies on India's railway system.
Authorities reported that 12 individuals lost their lives, with 11 others sustaining injuries in the chaos of the incident. Ashok Pawar, a police inspector from the Pachora police station, revealed that the Pushpak Express was heavily occupied, consisting mainly of migrant workers traveling for job opportunities.
Police Superintendent Maheswar Reddy assured the public that an investigation would be launched to determine if there was a genuine fire or if the alarm was falsely instigated by someone malicious. Eleven victims’ identities were confirmed, with seven victims hailing from Nepal and four from the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, with one body yet to be identified.
Maharashtra's top official, Devendra Fadnavis, confirmed that eight ambulances were sent to the location of the accident. Furthermore, the state government pledged to provide financial assistance to the families of those lost and cover medical expenses for the injured.
This tragic event raises further concerns about the safety of railway travel in India, a country where millions rely on its expansive but often dangerous rail network. Despite substantial government investments in safety measures, incidents remain frequent. A notorious railway accident in Odisha in 2023 resulted in a staggering 290 casualties, while another crash last June left eight dead after a freight train collided with a derailed passenger train in Tripura. Authorities face mounting pressure to improve safety protocols and prevent further tragedies on India's railway system.
