'Complete chaos...': Passenger recounts horror of Tamil Nadu train accident | VIDEO

Nineteen people have reportedly been injured after 12 coaches of the 12578 Mysuru Darbhanga Bagmati Express were derailed after it hit a stationary goods train near the Kavarapettai station in Tamil Nadu.

One of the coaches caught fire. No casualties have been reported yet.

The express train, travelling at 75kmph, entered a loopline instead of getting into the main line and slammed into the goods train in the Ponneri-Kavarapettai section in Chennai Rail Division.

According to a Southern Railway press release, the train, after crossing Ponneri station in Tiruvallur district at 20.27 hours on October 11, was given green signal to proceed. But, "while entering the Kavaraipettai station, the train crew experienced heavy jerk and instead of going into the main line as per the signal given, the train entered into the Loop/line@75kmp & hit the Goods train standing in loop line."

Speaking to PTI, a passenger on the Bagmati Express said: “We were on the train when suddenly there was a loud noise, and no one understood what had happened. After about five minutes, when we looked outside, we saw the train had overturned, and there was complete chaos. Some coaches were on fire, and others had derailed. We couldn't figure out what had happened to anyone. We quickly went to a nearby local station. We are safe.”

In a video message, Dilip Kumar, executive director, Information and Publicity of the Railway Board, said rescue and relief team reached the accident site immediately. All the injured were immediately moved to the Stanley Hospital and the Madras Medical College Hospital.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin expressed shock over the accident and said he is monitoring rescue and relief work. He also added that minister Avadi Nasar and top officials have reached the spot.

Meanwhile, a special train departed from Chennai Central with the stranded passengers after the collision. Railway officials say that around 16 hours more will be needed to restore the accident spot, and that rainfall was making it difficult.

The fire in the parcel van was soon doused by fire tenders.

The following trains have diverted and rescheduled following the accident, as per a release by the Southern Railway.

(Southern Railway helpline numbers: 04425354151 & 04424354995)