After the Lucknow-Mumbai Pushpak Express was stopped due to an alarm chain pulling, the train driver activated the flasher light and applied brakes as per rules, according to officials. The curvature of the train, nearly two degrees, obstructed visibility and reduced the distance for breaking, they said.
In a tragic incident in Maharashtra’s Jalgaon district, 13 people were crushed to death after several passengers of the Pushpak Express jumped off their coach due to a suspected fire and were struck by another train. An eyewitness claimed that the panic was sparked by a tea seller who falsely claimed there was a fire and pulled the train’s emergency chain, prompting passengers to jump off the train in fear.
The accident occurred when passengers aboard the 12533 Lucknow-Mumbai Pushpak Express, fearing a fire, jumped off their coaches and were run over by the Karnataka Express, which was passing on an adjacent track.
An eyewitness recounted the chaos: “A tea seller started the rumor by claiming the train had caught fire. He pulled the emergency chain, and as the train slowed, passengers began jumping out in a desperate attempt to save their lives.”
The witness further said, “Some people jumped directly onto the track where the Bangalore Express was passing, and tragically lost their lives as they were crushed.”
However, the situation could have been even worse, as the eyewitness noted that hundreds of other passengers who jumped in the opposite direction were saved because there was no track there.
“If they had jumped on the track side, the death toll would have been even higher,” he added.
DETAILS OF THE ACCIDENT
The accident occurred between Maheji and Pardhade stations near Pachora town in North Maharashtra around 4:45 pm on Tuesday, when the Pushpak Express came to a halt after someone pulled the emergency chain. Central Railway officials confirmed the details of the incident.
Dilip Kumar, Executive Director of Information and Publicity at the Railway Board, denied that any spark or fire inside the coach prompted the passengers to pull the alarm. “Based on the information we have received, no fire or spark was observed inside the coach,” Kumar stated in New Delhi.
13 KILLED, AID ANNOUNCED
The death toll rose to 13 on Wednesday, as several of the injured passengers succumbed to their injuries. Special Inspector General of Police Dattatraya Karale confirmed that eight of the 13 victims had been identified, including two through their Aadhaar cards.
The Commissioner of Railway Safety for the Central Circle will conduct an investigation into the circumstances that led to the deaths.
“Of the 13, we have identified eight bodies so far, including two from their Aadhaar cards,” Special Inspector General of Police Dattatraya Karale told media. The Commissioner of Railway Safety, Central Circle, will probe the circumstances leading to the mowing down of the 13 passengers.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his condolences over the tragic train accident in Jalgaon.
“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,” the Prime Minister’s Office stated in a post on X.
The Railway Ministry announced ex gratia of Rs 1.5 lakh each for the kins of the deceased in the Jalgaon train accident.
“Ex gratia of Rs 1.5 lakh each has been announced for the kins of the deceased in the Jalgaon train accident, Rs 50,000 to the people who are seriously injured and Rs 5,000 to the people who have sustained minor injuries,” as per an official statement from Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw’s office.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced Rs 5 lakh ex gratia to the families of the victims who died in the Jalgaon train accident on Wednesday. The CM said the state government will also bear all the medical expenses of the injured.
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