Jalgaon: 12 dead after passengers jump off train over fire rumour, run over by another
New Delhi: At least 12 people were killed and 15 others injured in a tragic incident on Wednesday when passengers who had disembarked the Lucknow-CSMT Pushpak Express in Jalgaon district were struck by the oncoming Karnataka Express. The incident occurred after a false fire alarm caused panic among passengers, triggering an emergency chain pull that led to their evacuation from the train.
According to the Rail Ministry's report, the death toll and number of injured passengers are expected to rise as more details emerge. Special Inspector General of Police, Dattatraya Karale, confirmed that twelve bodies were sent to the nearby civil hospital, while six to seven individuals sustained injuries.
The initial cause of the accident was a fire rumour. Sparks and smoke were noticed emanating from the wheels of the Pushpak Express, which was travelling from Lucknow to Mumbai. This led to widespread panic among the passengers, who believed the train had caught fire. The emergency chain was pulled, halting the train abruptly. As passengers disembarked and stood on the adjacent tracks, they were struck by the Karnataka Express, which was travelling in the opposite direction.
Swapnil Nila, the Chief Public Relations Officer for Central Railway, confirmed the incident, stating, "The Pushpak Express experienced an alarm chain pulling incident near Pachora. Several passengers disembarked the train and were unfortunately hit by the Karnataka Express travelling on the adjacent track. As per initial information, 12 passengers have lost their lives. Immediate medical assistance and rescue operations are underway."
Local authorities responded quickly to the situation, deploying ambulances, railway rescue vans, and emergency medical teams. Praveen Gedam, the Nashik Divisional Commissioner, provided an update in the evening, confirming that 12 people had died and five others were injured. He assured that the district administration, police, and railway officials were on-site, providing all necessary assistance, and that eight ambulances were dispatched to the scene.
Dilip Kumar, Executive Director of the Railway Board’s Information and Publicity Department, further explained the chain of events. “The alarm chain was pulled after reports of sparks and smoke from the Pushpak Express. Several passengers alighted and were either standing on the tracks or attempting to cross. Unfortunately, the Bengaluru-New Delhi Karnataka Express was passing through and hit some of the passengers. Senior railway officials, medical teams, and ambulances have been dispatched to the site,” he said.
Kumar added that eight to ten passengers sustained serious injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. Rescue operations were still underway, and authorities were providing necessary support to the victims and their families.
The incident has raised concerns about passenger safety and the adequacy of emergency response protocols within the Indian Railways system. There has been a call for stricter enforcement of safety measures and better maintenance of railway infrastructure. Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the tragedy and to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Following the accident, both the Karnataka Express and Pushpak Express resumed their respective journeys after receiving the necessary assistance. A comprehensive investigation will be conducted to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident and improve safety procedures.
In the wake of the tragedy, the Maharashtra government announced an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh for the families of the deceased. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who was in Davos, expressed his condolences in a video statement. “The tragic loss of lives in a very unfortunate incident near Pachora in Jalgaon district is deeply distressing. I pay my heartfelt tributes to them,” he said, adding that the state government would cover the medical treatment costs for the injured.
Fadnavis also provided details about the emergency response efforts. “Eight ambulances have been dispatched to the spot. The general hospital, as well as nearby private hospitals, are on standby for the treatment of the injured. Emergency equipment such as glass cutters and floodlights have also been made available. We are closely monitoring the situation, and all necessary assistance is being provided immediately,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS), Central Circle, announced that an investigation into the incident would take place. Manoj Arora, the CRS, confirmed that he would reach the accident site between Pardhade and Maheji railway stations near Pachora on Thursday morning. He stated that the investigation would include recording the statements of passengers and other eyewitnesses.
“The CRS will speak to passengers and other eyewitnesses to gather information about the accident. We are committed to understanding the cause of the incident,” Arora said. He added that the investigation would also involve speaking to the train crews involved in the tragedy.
Railway officials suggested that the visibility of the Karnataka Express was affected by the curvature of the track, which contributed to the collision. A senior official explained, “The driver of the Pushpak Express turned on the flasher light as required by protocol when the train stopped. The driver of the Karnataka Express applied the brakes upon seeing the flasher light, but the track curvature impacted visibility and the braking distance, which led to the accident.”
This stretch of railway line, which is part of the trunk route, sees trains travelling at speeds exceeding 100 km/h. Despite efforts by both train crews to avoid the collision, the incident occurred.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw expressed his grief over the loss of lives. “I have taken complete information about the incident from the Railway Board Chairman and other officials. I have instructed for proper treatment of all the injured,” he said. Vaishnaw also extended his condolences to the families of the victims.
In the aftermath of the accident, the Pushpak Express departed the spot in just 15 minutes, while the Karnataka Express was removed within 20 minutes, according to railway officials.
