Maharashtra train tragedy: 12 lives lost in fatal Jalgaon collision

Maharashtra: A train tragedy yesterday near Paranda railway station left 12 persons dead. Maharashtra's Jalgaon district turned into a field of death by 4.19 pm. Railway officials are saying the trouble started due to panic in Passengers aboard another train, which was travelling to Mumbai from Lucknow, after a group among them saw several passengers were without tickets on Board the Bengaluru Express.

Panic causes catastrophe

The disaster occurred when smoke was seen coming out from the wheels of Pushpak Express. The passengers, fearing a fire, pulled the chain and started jumping on the tracks to save themselves from the perceived danger. However, this sudden movement put them right in the way of the incoming Bengaluru Express, which was coming from the opposite direction.

"Some passengers of the Pushpak Express deboarded and were hit by the Karnataka Express," said Central Railway's chief spokesperson, Swapnil Nila. The accident site is located more than 400 km from Mumbai. Initial investigations have indicated that sparks in one of the coaches of Pushpak Express were caused by a hot axle or brake-binding. Senior officials are present on the site, said Maharashtra Minister Gulabrao Patil, who is also the guardian minister of Jalgaon.

Leaders express condolences

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, "It's extremely unfortunate and deeply distressing." In his post on X (formerly Twitter), he mentioned, "I pay my heartfelt tributes to the deceased. District administration and railway officials are in coordination with me to ensure prompt assistance in every possible way and medical aid for the injured people.".

Eight ambulances were despatched to the spot while hospitals in the region, be it general and private, geared up to deal with the cases of injured patients. Emergency tools like glass cutter and floodlight were also available to assist the rescue operation.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also condoled the death of the victims and told officials to arrange proper medical aid for the injured.