At least 11 passengers lost their lives and seven others sustained injuries in a tragic accident in Maharashtra’s Jalgaon district on Wednesday. The incident occurred when passengers of the Pushpak Express, traveling from Lucknow to Mumbai, jumped off the train in panic following rumors of a fire, only to be struck by the Karnataka Express on a parallel track.
According to a PTI report, ” The accident took place around 4:50 PM. Alarmed by smoke in one of the coaches of the Pushpak Express, passengers suspected a fire, pulled the emergency chain, and attempted to escape by jumping off the train. Tragically, they landed on the adjacent track, directly in the path of the Karnataka Express, resulting in the fatalities.
Cause of Panic: Smoke from Technical Issues
A railway official explained, ” The sparks, likely caused by a “hot axle” or “brake-binding,” generated smoke that led passengers to fear a fire inside the train, there was no actual fire, clarified the official, but the ensuing panic caused chaos and led to the unfortunate incident.”
Government Response
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed his condolences and said , ” Eight ambulances were dispatched to the site. Hospitals in the vicinity were put on alert to treat the injured. Maharashtra Minister Girish Mahajan and other officials rushed to the scene to oversee rescue operations” he added.
Mahajan confirmed, “Ten to twelve persons were killed as per the District Collector,” while Union Minister Raksha Khadse, citing local reports, suggested the death toll might be as high as 40″ .
Investigation and Assistance
Authorities are investigating the cause of the incident and have assured assistance to the victims and their families. Rescue operations and relief efforts are ongoing.
This tragic accident underscores the critical importance of safety measures and communication to prevent panic in emergencies. Further updates are awaited as the situation develops.
