Kadalundi train disaster turns 23: Rescuer remembers desperate pleas of trapped passengers

Kadalundi: On 22 June 2001, Abdul Azeez, hailing from Olavanna, was at his relative's wedding in Ramanattukara. That's when he heard the news that the Mangalore-Chennai Mail passenger train had crashed into the Kadalundi River. 

Upon hearing news of the accident, Azeez hurried to Kadalundi and witnessed firsthand the harrowing scene-- People crying out for help from the train coaches that had plunged into the river.

Azeez also participated in the rescue operation. He helped rescue passengers who were trapped in the train cars and guided them to safety. The police also assisted in conducting the inquest on the dead bodies. Even after 23 years, Azeez, a trauma care volunteer, still carries the haunting memories of the tragedy. Azeez, who also serves as the District Coordinator of Kozhikode Taluk Disaster Management Force, is now at his residence resting after sustaining injuries while removing a tree that had fallen on a house. 

The Mangalore-Chennai Mail passenger, which left Kozhikode railway station at 4.45 p.m. fell into the river at 5.15 p.m. from the Kadalundi railway bridge.