Jalgaon: A tragic accident occurred near Jalgaon on Wednesday afternoon when passengers of the Pushpak Express, travelling from Lucknow to Mumbai, got off the train due to a fire rumour. The train had stopped after an emergency chain was pulled between Maheji and Pardhade stations at around 4:45 pm. Unbeknownst to many passengers, the Karnataka Express was approaching, and it mowed down 12 people who had been walking on the tracks.

Railway officials clarified that the Pushpak Express had stopped for about 20 minutes, giving passengers ample time to move to safety. However, many were unaware of the danger until it was too late.

Confusion and panic

Initial reports suggested that passengers had no time to move and were forced to jump onto the tracks. However, railway officials denied this version of events.

"The initial version reported by many suggested that passengers didn't have time to move to a safe place and they had no option but to jump on the tracks. But, it is incorrect," a railway official stated.

The train arrived about 20 minutes after the Pushpak Express had stopped, giving passengers enough time to move. However, many were walking on the adjacent tracks and did not react quickly enough upon seeing the approaching Karnataka Express.

"Passengers who saw the Karnataka Express approaching moved out of the track, while those who couldn't notice or didn't get enough time to move away came under it," the official added.

At first, reports indicated that 13 people had died, but it was later clarified that only 12 passengers had lost their lives. A body and a head found at the scene had initially been identified as belonging to two separate people, but further investigation revealed they belonged to the same individual, a woman whose son confirmed her identity.

Victims and their stories

Of the 12 deceased, seven were from Nepal, including victims such as Kamala Navin Bhandari, Javakala Bhate, and Lachchiram Khataru Pasi. Pasi's family had a particularly harrowing experience as his body was severely mutilated.

His nephew, Ramrang Pasi, shared, “Some portions of his hands and legs are missing.”

Survivors of the incident described the chaotic moments before the crash. Shaukat Ali, a worker from Nepal who was travelling with Lachchiram, recalled: “A fire rumour spread on the train. We saw smoke inside the bogie. When the train slowed, we hastily stepped down and the train got empty.” 

As the passengers hurried to get off, they found themselves caught in the path of the oncoming Karnataka Express.

Ali continued, “We found a small space between the two trains and we laid down there, tightly holding each other, hence we survived."

Railway response and investigation

In the aftermath of the accident, a team of senior railway officials initiated an inquiry into the incident.

"A team of five senior railway officials has launched a probe into the tragedy," said Dilip Kumar, Executive Director, Information and Publicity, Railway Board. The team will investigate the cause of the emergency chain pull and the subsequent confusion.

The Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister, Ajit Pawar, stated that the accident was caused by a “sheer rumour” about a fire. He explained that a tea seller spread the false alarm, causing panic among passengers.

The Railway Board has confirmed that the investigation is ongoing, and all bodies have been identified. The families of the deceased have begun receiving the remains for funeral rites.

15 passengers were injured in the incident, with ten receiving treatment at hospitals in Pachora and Jalgaon. Railway officials have distributed ex gratia compensation to the injured passengers, amounting to Rs 2.70 lakh for nine of the victims.

PTI