Jalgaon:The tragic train accident in Jalgaon, Maharashtra, which claimed 13 lives, continues to shock the nation. The incident occurred when passengers aboard the Lucknow-Mumbai Pushpak Express, fearing a fire caused by sparks from a hot axle, pulled the emergency chain around 5 PM on Wednesday. Amid the chaos, passengers disembarked onto the tracks, only to be struck by the oncoming Karnataka Express, traveling in the opposite direction.

One of the survivors, who was admitted to a hospital following the accident, described the panic that unfolded. "We got off the train after everyone said that there has been a fire... We stopped the train and started running. Another train came from the other side, and the people got hit," the survivor recounted, providing chilling insight into the confusion and fear that led to the tragedy.

Central Railway’s spokesperson confirmed that the collision between the two trains resulted in the deaths of 13 people, with several others injured. The identities of seven of the deceased have been confirmed, and efforts to identify the remaining victims are ongoing, though the process has been complicated by missing body parts.

In response to the tragedy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, while Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis pledged financial assistance to the victims' families. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also extended his sympathies and discussed the matter with the Chief Minister. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw assured that the injured would receive immediate medical attention and that a thorough investigation into the cause of the accident would be conducted. An ex-gratia payment of Rs 1.5 lakh has been announced for the families of the deceased, while Rs 50,000 will be given to those seriously injured, and Rs 5,000 to those with minor injuries.